A High Court Judge and the leader of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) were among four individuals arrested last night on charges of corruption and money laundering, in a case that has sent shockwaves through the legal and religious communities.
Judge Portia Phahlane and three co-accused appeared in court. Judge Phahlane, her son Kagiso, and church spokesperson Vusi Ndala were all granted bail. The fourth accused, IPHC leader Michael Sandlana, was denied bail.
The case stems from a protracted succession battle within the IPHC following the death of its former leader, Bishop Leighton Misi. This battle resulted in several civil cases, two of which were eventually merged into a single matter in 2023.
According to the state’s charge sheet, which details 19 collective counts of corruption, Judge Phahlane was assigned to case manage the pre-trial issues and ultimately became the presiding officer in the church litigation. The state alleges she then received over two million Rand in gratification in exchange for delivering a judgment favourable to Michael Sandlana.
A spokesperson for the Hawks, the police’s elite investigative unit, confirmed that “extensive investigations” led to the arrests. The case has been described as one where a “presiding officer [swung] from the bench to the dock.”
In her bail application, Judge Phahlane claimed the charges are a “personal vendetta” brought by litigants in the church succession battle who were unhappy with her. She stated in an affidavit that after she refused a recusal application in the civil case, she received threats on her life, which she reported to the police.
The state did not oppose bail for Judge Phahlane, her son, or Nala. Judge Phahlane was granted R50,000 bail, while her son and Nala were granted R10,000 bail each. Bail conditions for all three include not interfering with investigations or witnesses.
A specific condition for Judge Phahlane bars her from entering the two main high court buildings in Pretoria. The state requested this measure, citing ongoing investigations.
The bail application for Michael Sandlana, however, did not proceed. The state informed the court it needs time to investigate several issues before formally opposing his bail. These issues include a separate pending criminal trial against Sandlana, an alleged assault on police officers during his arrest which resulted in injuries requiring hospitalization, and the need to verify his current address.
Sandlana’s lawyers argued the state was being “selective,” stating he had been diligent in attending his other trial and was forthcoming with his address upon his arrest. The magistrate ruled the state should be given time to complete its investigations.
The arrest has prompted a strong reaction from the legal fraternity. A representative for Judges Matter called for the immediate suspension of Judge Phahlane by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
“We believe that the extreme seriousness of these allegations require that the Judicial Service Commission immediately convene and take the extraordinary step of immediately suspending the judge pending a formal investigation by a judicial conduct tribunal,” Benjamin stated. He emphasized that while the constitution guarantees the presumption of innocence, the nature of the allegations demands action to “safeguard the integrity and reputation of the judiciary.”
The case has been postponed to allow for further investigation, particularly concerning the bail application of Michael Sandlana.