Calls mount for Ekurhuleni city manager's suspension after arrest

Calls for the suspension of the City of Ekurhuleni's city manager, Kagiso Lerutla, are mounting after his arrest.

Lerutla was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport over the weekend.

The 40-year-old city manager faces charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice.

Lerutla is scheduled to appear in the Boksburg Magistrates Court on Monday alongside suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanzi.

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Democratic Alliance (DA) mayoral candidate in the city, Khathutshelo Rasilingwane, said Lerutla must be given the boot.

"We want to put it out there that if the two gentlemen are found wanting in what they have been accused of, there has to be consequences. This has been our outcry that we have senior officials that are implicated in corruption," she said.

Ekurhuleni spokesperson Phakamile Mbengashe said the city is also looking for clarity on details surrounding its city manager’s arrest.

"We are here as the city to find out what is in front of the court. We’ll engage and comment after proceedings today."

The City of Ekurhuleni has provisionally appointed Tsholofelo Koopedi as acting city manager after Lerutla’s arrest.

Lerutla was the city manager for the last five months, after years of being the city’s chief financial officer.

EWN, however, has it on good authority that Koopedi will only act in the position just for Monday.