The Pretoria High Court has dismissed the bail appeal of International Pentecost Holiness Church leader, Bhekumuzi Mike Sandlana (64), who is facing 19 counts of corruption.
The appeal followed Sandlana’s unsuccessful bail application, which was rejected by the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 22 December 2025.
It is alleged that, between 2021 and 2022, Sandlana made payments totalling approximately R2.4 million into various bank accounts for the benefit of High Court Judge Portia Phahlane, intending that she preside over his ongoing civil matter and rule in his favour.
In his bail appeal, Sandlana argued that the magistrate erred in finding that he had failed to satisfy the court that the interests of justice permitted his release. His legal team also contended that his possession of multiple identity documents resulted from administrative errors for which he was not responsible. They further argued that Sandlana was not a flight risk, citing his church, ownership of multiple properties, and strong ties to South Africa.
However, State advocates Phumla Dwane and Willem van Zyl opposed the appeal. They argued that Sandlana posed a flight risk due to his multiple identity documents and his ability to travel abroad without using a passport. The State also noted that the alleged offences were committed while Sandlana was out on bail in another matter before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court.
The High Court agreed with the State’s submissions, finding that Sandlana had failed to convince the court that his release would be in the interests of justice. The bail appeal was subsequently dismissed.
In his last appearance, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) revealed that Sandlana informed the court he was not ready to proceed with his bail application, prompting the magistrate to roll the matter for further investigations.
“The case against the leader of the International Pentecost Holiness Church, Bhekumuzi Mike Sandlana, 64, was postponed to 6 March 2026 for further investigations because Sandlana was not ready to proceed with his bail application,” said Lumka Mahanjana, Gauteng regional spokesperson for the NPA.
“His three co-accused, 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, 49, were previously released on bail with stringent conditions,” Mahanjana added. “All four accused are collectively facing 19 counts of corruption.”
The matter involving Sandlana and his co-accused is set to return to the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 6 March 2026.
Saturday Star