Four accused persons, a leader of the International Pentecost Holiness Church Bhekumuzi Mike Sandlana (64), a Judge of the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, Pretoria Judge, Portia Phahlane (57), her son Kagiso Phahlane (32) and Vusi Soli Ndala
Lumka Mahanjana
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Four accused persons, a leader of the International Pentecost Holiness Church Bhekumuzi Mike Sandlana (64), a Judge of the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, Pretoria Judge, Portia Phahlane (57), her son Kagiso Phahlane (32) and Vusi Soli Ndala, appeared at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
Judge Portia Phahlane was granted R50 000 bail, her son Kagiso and Ndala were both granted R10 000 bail.
The conditions of their release include that all three accused should not interfere directly or indirectly with the investigations and state witnesses, should hand over their passports and any travel documents to the investigation officer by Friday 28 November 2025, not apply for new travel documents and should attend their court case.
The court fixed an additional condition that Judge Phahalane should not enter the High Court premises until further notified, and or on application of amendment of this condition.
All four accused are collectively facing 19 counts of corruption.
It is alleged that between 2021 and 2022, Ndala and Sandlana made payments of about R2.4 million on different occasions to different banking accounts, to and for the benefit of Judge Phahlane, in order for her to preside over Sandlana’s ongoing civil case at the high court and ultimately rule in his favour.
Intensive prosecution-led investigations by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team led to the arrest of the four accused persons on 25 and 26 November 2025.
In court, the state did not oppose the release on bail of judge Phahlane, her son and Ndala as the State was not presented with any evidence that the three accused were a flight risk.
Moreover, the state was able to confirm their addresses.
However, the state indicated to the court that they intend to oppose the release on bail of Sandlana and as such, the State asked the court to postpone his case for his formal bail application
The court postponed Sandlana’s matter to 03 December 2025 for his formal bail application.
The case against the other 3 accused was postponed to 06 March 2026 for further investigations.
Sandlana was remanded in custody.
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