The family of Mmago Tshimollogo, popularly known as Sandra, who was allegedly killed in a car crash involving suspended Ekurhuleni City Manager Kagiso Lerutla, is demanding justice.
Sandra died on 14 May 2021 after her blue Hyundai was allegedly involved in a collision with a black Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon near Boksburg.
Her cousin, who asked not to be named, told MDN News that the family was shocked to learn through the media that Lerutla was allegedly linked to the crash.
Details of the accident were brought before the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court by the prosecutor last Thursday.
Lerutla is currently facing charges of corruption, fraud and defeating the ends of justice. The charges relate to allegations that he used a paid imposter to appear in court on his behalf in a 2019 speeding case.
On Tuesday, Lerutla and his co-accused, suspended Ekurhuleni Deputy Chief Police Officer Julius Mkhwanazi, were granted bail of R30,000 each by the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court.
“I started connecting the dots when my sister and cousin called to ask if I had heard what happened in court during Julius Mkhwanazi’s case. We realised the incident they were discussing was Sandra’s,” the cousin said.
During bail arguments, the State opposed the release of Mkhwanazi and Lerutla and disclosed new evidence. The State alleged that at around 12:10 AM on 14 May 2021, Lerutla was driving a black Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon along the N12 eastbound when he collided with Sandra’s Hyundai.
“I wish Sandra’s memory fights this case until justice prevails. It is painful, and what angers me most is that they hid this information from the family,” the cousin added.
“Sandra was the breadwinner, and her death devastated us. Her son had to relocate to Limpopo because of a man’s recklessness that night. What worries us even more is the death of Sandra’s sister, Margaret, who arrived at the scene and found Sandra trapped and dead inside the car. Margaret passed away mysteriously in July 2021, just two months later. We don’t know if it was a heart attack, COVID-19, or if she was poisoned.”
Police records seen by MDN News indicate that on 27 July 2023, the docket was booked out to the Senior Prosecutor in Germiston and returned the same day. Records further show that on 17 August 2023, it was again booked out to the Senior Public Prosecutor before being officially withdrawn on 28 August 2023.
“All we want is justice for Sandra and Margaret. We know it won’t bring them back, but it will send a message that driving under the influence puts everyone at risk,” the cousin concluded.