Julius Mkhwanazi Granted Bail in High-Profile Corruption Case

On Tuesday, 28 April 2026, suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi and Ekurhuleni City Manager Kagiso Lerutla were granted bail of R30,000 each by the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court. The pair had spent over a week in custody following their arrests in mid-April on charges of fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice. The case has now been postponed to 13 May 2026, with strict conditions including surrendering passports and not contacting witnesses.

The allegations stem from a 2019 traffic violation involving Lerutla. According to the State, Lerutla was arrested for speeding and released on R1,000 bail. Prosecutors claim Mkhwanazi, then in a position of influence within the metro police, allegedly facilitated a scheme where an impersonator appeared in court on Lerutla’s behalf to manipulate the proceedings. This is said to have involved corrupt arrangements to evade accountability for the traffic offence, amounting to fraud and obstruction of justice.

Mkhwanazi was arrested on the 18th of April at his home while his co-accused was arrested the following day at OR Tambo airport. During the raid at his home, police reportedly recovered a significant quantity of ammunition, adding to the scrutiny. The State strongly opposed bail, arguing that releasing the two senior officials posed a risk of witness interference and was not in the interest of justice, given the seriousness of the charges and their positions of authority.

Defence teams maintained that the accusations do not justify prolonged detention and that their clients pose no flight risk. Magistrate Emmanuel Magampa ultimately ruled in favour of bail after hearing arguments. Both men have denied wrongdoing. Whether they will clear their names or face conviction remains to be seen in the coming months.