Suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and Ekurhuleni City Manager Kagiso Lerutla have been released on bail of R30,000 each after spending days in custody.
The two officials had been behind bars since their arrest in mid-April and spent the long weekend in detention after the court reserved its decision on their bail application.
They are facing serious charges, including fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice, in a case that has drawn significant public attention.
At the centre of the allegations is what investigators describe as an identity-switch scheme. It is claimed that the pair paid an individual R400,000 to impersonate Lerutla in court, allowing him to attend a job interview while the stand-in dealt with a speeding charge on his behalf.
During proceedings, the magistrate also revealed that he had received a call from a police sergeant attached to the Madlanga Task Team, adding another layer of intrigue to the case.
While both men are now out on bail, the matter is far from over. The case is expected to continue in court as authorities pursue the allegations and determine the full extent of the scheme.
