Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has appointed Tsholofelo Koopedi as acting city manager of the City of Ekurhuleni following the confirmed arrest of City Manager Kagiso Lerutla.
Lerutla was arrested on Sunday , April, 19 at OR Tambo International Airport.Authorities confirmed that the arrest relates to charges of fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice. The 40 year old is expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday alongside suspended acting EMPD chief Julius Mkhwanazi. .
The City confirmed that Koopedi will serve as acting city manager with immediate effect. He currently heads the City Intelligence and Long-Term Planning Division within Ekurhuleni’s Strategy and Corporate Planning Department and has been in local government since 2007.
Lerutla previously served as the City’s Group Chief Financial Officer before his appointment as city manager. His appointment as CFO was declared unlawful in May 2025 by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, citing procedural irregularities.
His arrest comes amid broader scrutiny within the municipality. Lerutla has been linked to internal investigations initiated by Xhakaza into alleged misconduct within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), although it has not been confirmed whether the charges he now faces are connected to those probes.
The City of Ekurhuleni has faced sustained administrative and political pressure in recent months. In July 2025, Xhakaza launched investigations into unvetted EMPD officers and alleged irregular promotions. Political tensions have also escalated, with opposition parties tabling a motion of no confidence against the mayor, citing concerns over governance and financial management.
Further details on the case, including the full charge sheet and potential bail proceedings, are expected to emerge when Lerutla appears in court.
