The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Xhakaza to act immediately this morning by suspending the City Manager Kagiso Lerutla who is now under arrest, pending further investigation into the charges laid against him. Should he be found guilty, he must be dismissed without delay.
Despite warnings from the DA about his performance in his previous position as Group CFO, where he was responsible for the City’s financial performance, the ANC & EFF coalition of chaos saw it fit to thrust him into the City’s most senior position.
The arrest of a major Metro City Manager, put into office by the EFF & ANC is deeply embarrassing for them. And it clearly shows how rotten the coalition is in Ekurhuleni.
While some claim there was an active attempt to ‘fix the frontline’, our on-going mayoral tour has revealed the true state of Ekurhuleni to be a city in dire straits. Residents should not have to pay the price for instability, mismanagement, and corruption.
The city cannot continue to be led by someone who is potentially implicated in criminal activity. He must be suspended immediately.
The arrests must not stop here, there is no doubt that there are many other officials working for the City who must be brought to book. Law enforcement agencies must pursue them and their political protectors relentlessly.
The good news for residents is that we are months away from an election, where we won’t need suspensions and arrests – instead we can collectively vote out the looters and the corrupt. And we can choose a new government that will get Ekurhuleni working.
A DA-led Government will serve notice on all corrupt officials and politicians in the city, the choice has never been starker. It is time for voters to reclaim their town and get Ekurhuleni working.