The accused are the leader of the International Pentecost Holiness Church, Bhekumuzi Mike Sandlana (64); Judge Portia Phahlane (57) of the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division; her son, Kagiso Phahlane (32); and Vusi Soli Ndala. They collectively face 19 counts of corruption. 

The accused briefly appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday (26/11). 

The court granted Judge Phahlane bail of R50 000, while Kagiso Phahlane and Ndala were each granted R10 000 bail. The state did not oppose their applications, confirming that there was no evidence the three posed a flight risk and that their residential addresses had been verified, said Gauteng NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.

Strict bail conditions were imposed on all three accused, including a prohibition on interfering, directly or indirectly, with the ongoing investigation or state witnesses. They must surrender their passports and any travel documents to the investigating officer by Friday (28/11), refrain from applying for new travel documents, and attend all future court appearances.

An additional condition was imposed on Judge Phahlane: she is barred from entering the high court premises until further notice, unless she makes a successful application for the condition to be amended. 

Bail battle looms

The charges stem from allegations that between 2021 and 2022, Ndala and Sandlana made payments of approximately R2.4 million into various bank accounts, purportedly for the benefit of Judge Phahlane. In return, the payments were allegedly intended to influence her to preside over Sandlana’s ongoing civil matter in the high court and rule in his favour.

The arrests followed investigations by the Hawks’ serious corruption investigation team, which detained the four accused on Tuesday and Wednesday, said Mahanjana. Unlike his co-accused, Sandlana remains in custody. 

The state informed the court that it intends to oppose his bail application, resulting in the postponement of his matter to Wednesday for a formal bail hearing. Judge Phahlane, her son, and Ndala are expected back in court on 6 March.

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