The Democratic Alliance (DA) has intensified its calls for accountability from Ekurhuleni City Manager Kagiso Lerutla, demanding a comprehensive lifestyle audit following allegations about lavish spending, cash property purchases allegedly linked to musician MaWhoo and a reported trip to China involving municipal officials.
The latest demands add to a series of controversies surrounding Lerutla, who is already facing criminal charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice in connection with an alleged court impersonation scheme dating back to 2019.
The allegations have also fuelled social media speculation involving celebrities and influencers, including MaWhoo, Cyan Boujee and Sithelo Shozi, with online discussions raising questions about luxury lifestyles, relationships and the possible source of money used to fund expensive assets.
Who is Kagiso Lerutla?
Lerutla is a chartered accountant who was appointed Ekurhuleni City Manager with effect from 1 November 2025. Before taking the top administrative position, he served as the metro’s Group Chief Financial Officer, having joined the municipality in 2014 after working at the Auditor-General of South Africa.
His responsibilities include overseeing the municipality’s administration, financial management and implementation of council decisions. The position places him at the centre of decisions affecting public spending and service delivery across one of Gauteng’s largest metropolitan municipalities.
DA wants lifestyle audit over MaWhoo property claims
In its latest statement, issued on 22 October, the DA called for a comprehensive lifestyle audit of Lerutla following social media allegations that he had bought properties in cash for musician MaWhoo, whose real name is Thandeka Ngema.
The party also wants clarity on reports that Lerutla may be travelling to China with two municipal officials. It questioned whether the reported trip complies with his bail conditions, which allegedly include surrendering his passport.
The allegations have not been established as fact, and the property claims require independent verification.
The DA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Khathutshelo Rasilingwane, said the city had confirmed that lifestyle audits had begun within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department, but had not yet been extended to senior municipal management.
The party is demanding that the city explain why senior officials have not been subjected to the same scrutiny, particularly amid wider concerns about procurement and the management of public funds.
Cyan Boujee, Sithelo Shozi and the influencer rumours
Lerutla’s legal troubles have also become a talking point in entertainment and social media circles, with names including MaWhoo, Cyan Boujee, whose real name is Honour Zuma, and Sithelo Shozi appearing in online claims about luxury assets and alleged links to municipal money.
In April, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) dismissed social media claims that it had expanded its probe into Lerutla to investigate influencers’ bank accounts and assets, describing the claims as fake news.
The unit explained that its mandate is to investigate procurement processes and public institutions, rather than target individuals based on their celebrity status.
There is no official confirmation in the material reviewed that MaWhoo, Cyan Boujee or Sithelo Shozi are being investigated in connection with Lerutla’s case.
What about his wife, Priscilla?
Questions have also surfaced about Lerutla’s wife, Priscilla whom he has a clild with.
Accrding to a source, Lerutla married Priscilla at a young age.
“She was still in university when they met. She was young and innocent, and she was in love. They are still very much together and she minds her business in her corner.”
The source told Buzz Life News, that Kagiso also purchased a hair salon for another popular, married influencer before dating Mawhoo and Cyan.
“He is quite the spender and h spoils his girls.”
Despite his scandals, the focus of the current calls form the DA for accountability remains Lerutla’s public responsibilities, the pending criminal proceedings and the demand for scrutiny of his financial affairs.
The R400,000 court impersonation allegations
The latest lifestyle audit demand comes against the backdrop of an existing criminal case involving Lerutla and former Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi.
The case relates to an alleged incident in 2019, when Lerutla was arrested for speeding and was required to appear in court. The state alleges that another person was arranged to impersonate him during subsequent court proceedings.
Prosecutors allege that Lerutla paid approximately R400,000 to Mkhwanazi and the alleged impersonator as part of the scheme.
Both men face charges including fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice. Lerutla has contested the case, and his legal team indicated in September that it intended to make representations to the Director of Public Prosecutions seeking the withdrawal of the charges.
The allegations remain subject to the legal process and must not be treated as a conviction.
Separate allegations of political interference
In May, the DA also approached the Public Protector over allegations of maladministration involving Lerutla and other municipal officials.
The complaint followed the circulation of an alleged leaked voice recording involving former Ekurhuleni MMC Sivuyile Ngodwana and suspended head of human resources Linda Gxasheka. The DA alleged that Lerutla had used his position to influence council votes in exchange for funding being directed to political parties associated with certain councillors.
The party argued that the allegations warranted investigation into possible abuse of power and contraventions of legislation governing corruption and political party funding.
The municipality disputed the characterisation of the claims, with its spokesperson saying the allegations related to the officials and politician involved in the recording and that they should respond to them.
The claims have not been established as proven wrongdoing by Lerutla.
Questions over accountability in Ekurhuleni
The DA’s latest demand raises broader questions about how senior municipal officials are scrutinised, particularly when allegations concern their personal finances and potential access to public resources.
A lifestyle audit could help establish whether an official’s declared income and assets are consistent with their known financial circumstances. However, such an audit is not itself proof of corruption, and any findings would need to be assessed through the appropriate legal and administrative processes.
The DA is demanding answers. The public will ultimately need verified findings from the relevant authorities, rather than social media speculation, to establish whether any wrongdoing occurred.
