Kagiso Lerutla Accused Of Paying R10,000 To Hide Crash Victim’s Body

Ekurhuleni city manager Kagiso Lerutla has been accused of involvement in an alleged murder cover-up following a fatal vehicle crash in 2021.

The allegations were presented before the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where the state claimed Lerutla attempted to conceal evidence after a collision that resulted in the death of another motorist.

According to the prosecution, Lerutla allegedly arranged for the removal of the victim’s body from the crash scene before authorities arrived.

State Alleges Kagiso Lerutla Paid to Remove Body

Court documents indicate that the incident took place on 14 May 2021 at approximately 12:10am along the N12 eastbound. Lerutla was allegedly driving a black Mercedes G-Wagon when it collided with a Hyundai, whose driver died at the scene.

“The scene was attended to by two EMPD officers who allegedly arranged for Lerutla to be transferred to hospital for medical attention as he was allegedly seriously injured. However, the applicant [Lerutla] was attended to at the hospital and discharged the same day without being admitted,” read court papers.

The state further alleges that a tow-truck driver was offered R10,000 to remove the body from the scene before police could arrive.

Missing Docket and Additional Charges Raise Questions

A culpable homicide case was initially opened at Bedfordview police station but was later withdrawn in August 2023.

“But it is mysteriously missing from the SAPS storeroom where it is supposed to be kept,” court documents stated.

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“The investigation in the culpable homicide docket placed us in a position to reconstruct the missing docket and the reconstruction is at an advanced stage, including the investigation regarding such loss of the docket.”

Lerutla is currently facing charges of corruption, fraud and defeating the ends of justice. These relate to separate allegations that he used a paid imposter to appear in court on his behalf in connection with a 2019 speeding case.

The matter remains before the court.