Phahlane out on bail while Sandlana’s release denied in high-stakes church corruption case

A judge entered the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria on Wednesday, but not to preside over a case but as an accused in a case of corruption and money laundering.

Judge Portia Dipuo Phahlane and her son, Kagiso Phahlane, were released on bail, while church leader Michael Sandlana remained behind bars. The case, mired in bribery, long-standing fraud allegations, and claims of intimidation, continues to grip both the judiciary and the religious community.

Phahlane was granted R50 000 bail, while Kagiso Phahlane and co-accused Vusi Ndala were released on smaller amounts after the State indicated it would not oppose their applications. Sandlana, however, failed to secure bail.

Prosecutors argued that he posed a high risk, citing not only the gravity of corruption and money-laundering charges but also the reputation of his personal security detail, which has previously been linked to intimidation and threats against witnesses.

Central to the case are allegations that Sandlana paid more than R2 million in bribes to Judge Phahlane to secure rulings favourable to his faction in the bitter leadership battle within the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC). According to the State, some of the payments were handed over in cash during secret meetings, while others were allegedly redirected to support a multimillion-rand property Phahlane acquired in 2022, transactions prosecutors say constituted corrupt gratification.

Sandlana’s quest for control of the church has deep roots. Following the death of the IPHC founder’s son in 2016, the church split into competing factions. Three contenders emerged: two sons of the late leader and Sandlana, who claimed to be a biological heir. Winning would give Sandlana spiritual authority over thousands of followers and control over the church’s assets.

However, Sandlana’s past is littered with controversy. In 2021, his estranged wife, Magalane Sandlana, discovered she had been erroneously declared dead after her bank card was blocked. A forged death certificate, dated March 2021, bore her name.

On 9 April 2021, Sandlana allegedly applied to be executor of her estate using documents purportedly signed by him, attempting to claim her assets—including a Mercedes-Benz and property valued at around R1.5 million. Police later launched a fraud case after Magalane challenged the certificate.

Investigators found evidence that Sandlana submitted a death notice, letter of executorship, ID copies, and an asset inventory under false pretences. He was arrested and charged alongside his lawyer and two others. Sandlana denied wrongdoing, claiming he was merely verifying his marital status after seeing a social media post. For many, however, the episode exemplified identity fraud and a willingness to circumvent the law for personal gain.

The new bribery allegations broaden the narrative of manipulation and greed. Prosecutors claim Sandlana sought not only to claim a wife’s assets but to seize control of a religious institution by corrupting the judiciary. The refusal of his bail underscores the court’s assessment that Sandlana and his associates could pose a serious threat, with his security detail’s history raising fears of witness intimidation.

Civil society has reacted sharply. Judges Matter has called for Phahlane’s immediate suspension, arguing that even under the presumption of innocence, her presence on the bench undermines public trust in the judiciary. The Judicial Service Commission may be asked to convene a Judicial Conduct Tribunal under Section 19 of the JSC Act — a rare step aimed at safeguarding institutional integrity.

For the IPHC, the scandal could trigger a major reckoning. If bribes influenced past rulings, the validity of decisions under Phahlane’s oversight may come under scrutiny, leaving followers to confront the complex intersection of faith, leadership, and the cost of power.

As the case progresses, prosecutors are expected to follow the money trail, examining bank records, property deeds, and secret meetings, while the judicial disciplinary process may run alongside the criminal proceedings.