IPHC calls on Madlanga Commission to hold General Sibiya and Bhekumuzi Sandlana accountable

The leadership of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) has urged the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry to hold Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya accountable for alleged interference in investigations linked to Bhekumuzi Gilbert Sandlana, the religious leader of the IPHC Jerusalem faction. Sandlana runs the church’s Pretoria faction while the church’s headquarters are in Zuurbekom, west of Johannesburg.

The dispute traces back to the 2016 death of IPHC founder Bishop Glayton Modise, after which Sandlana declared himself his successor. The Modise family disputes this claim, and church executives have repeatedly requested DNA verification to clarify whether Sandlana is indeed the biological son of the late Bishop. Sandlana is currently the subject of multiple ongoing investigations, relating to fraud, identity forgery, and alleged interference in church succession matters following Bishop Modise’s death.

Alleged Forgery and Estate Misappropriation

Documents obtained by investigators indicate that Sandlana submitted a fraudulent death certificate stating that his wife, Benedicta Sandlana, had died. The certificate, issued in April 2021 in Pretoria, was reportedly used to apply for executorship and to claim inheritance of her assets. Benedicta Sandlana later discovered she was listed as deceased in official government records when attempting to access her bank account.

As a result, Sandlana was criminally charged for the forgery of the death certificate. Investigators have reported that several church assets, including vehicles, properties, and buses, were transferred to private ownership during this period. These transfers are under review for potential irregularities, including alleged lack of authorization from IPHC leadership. Bank statements and property transfer documents indicate that these transactions were processed under Sandlana’s name or entities linked to him.

Church Succession Disputes

Following Bishop Modise’s death, Sandlana claimed leadership of the IPHC. Internal church documents indicate that this claim was contested by other officials, including Bishop Leonard Modise and Tshepiso Modise. The leadership has repeatedly requested DNA verification to confirm Sandlana’s familial relationship with the late Bishop, but these requests remain unfulfilled. Church filings note that several church assets, including buses and properties, were removed from IPHC control without approval from the established leadership.

Alleged Violence and Threats

Police records confirm that an attack occurred at the IPHC headquarters in Zuurbekom on July 11, 2020, resulting in multiple fatalities. Witness statements suggest that certain participants in the attack were associated with Sandlana. Court documents identify 42 accused individuals in connection with the incident. Witness Mziwoxolo Thusi described the preparation of participants, including the allocation of firearms and transport, while investigators continue to examine whether Sandlana had direct involvement in planning or executing the attack.

Stolen Buses and Asset Misappropriation

The IPHC has reported that several buses essential for church operations were removed from church property and relocated to facilities associated with Sandlana. Investigators are reviewing ownership records, transfer documents, and compliance with legal requirements. A fingerprint officer confirmed that identification documents used in some transfers were fraudulent. The total value of the buses and other assets under investigation runs into the tens of millions of rand.

Police and Prosecutorial Interference

Criminal dockets related to Sandlana’s alleged activities reportedly experienced delays or irregular handling. The cases include CAS 450/02/2022, reportedly blocked by an officer named "Brigadier Cronje" despite instructions from the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), and CAS 359/04/2021 and CAS 264/07/2023, reportedly stalled by another Warrant Officer who is alleged to have a conflict of interest due to financial links to Sandlana.

NPA official known as "Peggy" is accused of disclosing confidential prosecutorial information to Sandlana, giving him apparent foreknowledge of investigative steps. General Shadrack Sibiya, previously identified in the Madlanga Commission for corruption, is also reportedly involved in overseeing cases linked to Sandlana. Internal correspondence indicates that directives from the NDPP to proceed with investigations were either not acted upon or delayed. Investigators are reviewing case movement logs, internal memos, and communications to determine whether procedural requirements were followed.

Judicial Involvement

A judge of the North Gauteng High Court has been named in documents alleging communication with Sandlana regarding the allocation of the IPHC succession case. Court filings suggest that an anonymous tip detailing her purported involvement was submitted prior to her appointment in May 2022. Additional filings indicate that the judge allegedly stated to Sandlana that she was on friendly terms with the Judge President and could request allocation of the succession case to her. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS) investigated these allegations, but the docket has not yet proceeded to the NPA for a decision.

Madlanga Commission Evidence

The IPHC submitted a formal affidavit to the Madlanga Commission requesting a review of alleged cover-ups and systemic interference in Sandlana-related cases. The submission lists obstruction of multiple police dockets by SAPS and NPA officials, unauthorized transfers of church property and vehicles, the submission of a fraudulent death certificate for Benedicta Sandlana, and alleged communication between Sandlana and members of the judiciary. The church specifically requests that General Shadrack Sibiya be investigated and held accountable for his alleged role in delaying or obstructing investigations.

Ongoing Investigations

The controversy began in 2016 following the death of Bishop Glayton Modise, which triggered a dispute over leadership of the IPHC. On July 11, 2020, an attack occurred at the IPHC headquarters in Zuurbekom, resulting in multiple fatalities. In March 2021, a birth certificate was issued for Benedicta Sandlana listing her as deceased, and in April 2021, Sandlana applied for executorship of her estate using this fraudulent document. Between 2021 and 2023, multiple criminal dockets related to Sandlana’s activities were reportedly delayed or blocked. In May 2022, the judge was appointed to the North Gauteng High Court amid allegations that an anonymous tip had suggested her involvement in the IPHC succession matter. 

Allegations of Bribery and Kickbacks

Witnesses have alleged that Sibiya received bribes from Sandlana to insulate him from arrest and accountability. In a separate matter, a key witness implicated two senior police officials in a kickback scheme linked to a R1.2 billion SAPS health services contract. Testifying before the Madlanga Commission, Witness C alleged that criminal kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala claimed he paid Sibiya and KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Major General Lesetja Senona multimillion-rand kickbacks after receiving payments from SAPS. The controversial R360 million portion of the R1.2 billion tender was cancelled in May by National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, who said the company should never have passed the initial bidding stage.