Ekurhuleni — The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for the urgent suspension of Ekurhuleni City Manager Kagiso Lerutla following his arrest, urging the Mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, to take immediate action pending the outcome of investigations.
The political party says Lerutla should be suspended without delay while authorities probe the charges against him.
“Should he be found guilty, he must be dismissed from his position, said Khathutshelo Rasilingwane, DA Ekurhuleni Mayoral Candidate.
Lerutla was arrested on Sunday, 19 April 2026. He faces charges of fraud, corruption and defeating and or obstructing the ends of justice.
His arrest follows that of suspended acting Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) chief Julius Mkhwanazi, who was arrested during the weekend and faces the same charges.
The pair are expected to appear before the Boksburg Magistrate’s court on Monday
The DA has criticised the decision to appoint Lerutla as City Manager, pointing to what it described as prior concerns about his performance when he served as Group Chief Financial Officer. According to the DA, those warnings were ignored by the governing coalition in the city.
“The ANC and EFF coalition of chaos saw it fit to place him in the most senior administrative position in the city, despite clear concerns,” Rasilingwane added.
Meanwhile, Xhakaza has appointed Dr Tsholofelo Koopedi as the acting city manager. Koopedi is currently the city’s head of department for strategy and corporate planning.
