Court sets stringent bail conditions for Mkhwanazi, Lerutla

The Boksburg Magistrates Court has set stringent bail conditions for the release of suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and city manager Kagiso Lerutla.

The two were earlier granted bail of R30,000 each after spending more than a week in custody.

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The State opposed their release, arguing that they might interfere with a key witness, Thabang Tsotetsi, who was Mkhwanazi’s driver at the time and allegedly attended court impersonating Lerutla.

Mkhwanazi and Lerutla are facing charges including fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice.

Delivering judgment, Magistrate Emmanule Magampa stated that claims the accused might interfere with the investigation or witnesses could not be based on speculation.

The court found that the State’s opposition relied mainly on these arguments.

The court concluded that the interests of justice permit their release on bail. However, strict conditions have been imposed, including the retention of their cellphones, which forms part of an ongoing investigation.

The other conditions include not directly or indirectly contacting Tsotetsi and surrender their passports to the state.

Magistrate Magampa pointed out that even if they do anything outside the specified terms, their bail could be revoked.

Vehicles believed to be transporting the accused left through the back gate of the court.