In a dramatic overnight operation, the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team has arrested four suspects, including a sitting judge and the leader of a well-known church, on charges of corruption and money laundering.
The arrests are the culmination of an investigation into serious allegations of an attempt to influence the outcome of a civil case currently before the Pretoria High Court. The case in question is a long-standing succession dispute involving the prominent South African church.
According to authorities, the investigation uncovered that the presiding judge allegedly received gratification from the church leader in exchange for delivering a favourable judgment in the succession matter.
What began as a prosecution-led investigation expanded to uncover the involvement of three additional suspects in the alleged corruption and money laundering scheme. Following this discovery, warrants of arrest were obtained for the identified individuals. The investigation traced a money trail, revealing that millions of rands had allegedly exchanged hands among the accused.
The four suspects, whose ages range from 32 to 64, are scheduled to make their first appearance this morning, Wednesday, 26 November 2025, before the Pretoria Serious Commercial Crimes Court.