Court set to rule on bail for Lerutla and Mkhwanazi next Tuesday

The suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, and Ekurhuleni municipal manager Kagiso Lerutla will know next Tuesday whether they will be granted bail.

Bail arguments concluded with the State insisting their release would not be in the interest of justice.

The two face charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice in connection with an alleged 2019 identity-switch scheme.

The State alleges the accused colluded to have an impersonator appear in court on Lerutla’s behalf after he was arrested for speeding.

The State also alleged that Lerutla was involved in a fatal traffic incident, where he is accused of crashing into another vehicle, resulting in the death of the driver.

The State claims he later paid a tow truck driver to dispose of the body.

Prosecutor Advocate Nceba Mtelwa argued that the extent to which the accused allegedly went to conceal their crimes demonstrates why they should remain in custody pending trial.

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