Judges Matter urges swift action to protect judiciary’s credibility

November 27, 2025 24

Chief Justice, Mandisa Maya, has granted tainted sitting Judge Portia Phahlane special leave pending her corruption case.

The Pretoria High Court Judge, was arrested this week on corruption and money-laundering charges.

The Judge is accused of accepting bribes to the tune of R2 million to rule in favour of International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) leader Michael Sandlana in the succession battle case.

Chief Justice Maya says measures will be put in place to prevent disruptions to any matters she is currently presiding over.

Media Statement

26 November 2025

STATEMENT BY CHIEF JUSTICE MANDISA MAYA FOLLOWING THE ARREST OF A GAUTENG HIGH COURT JUDGE

Please see full statement below.

Visit: https://t.co/vjBZfXMi1U pic.twitter.com/GdsXRZzo82

— RSAJudiciary (@OCJ_RSA) November 26, 2025

Phahlane, her son Kagiso, Sandlana, and his spokesperson Vusi Soli Ndala face a total of 19 counts of corruption, as well as money-laundering charges, appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court yesterday.

Phahlane was granted R50,000 bail, while her son Kagiso and IPHC Jerusalem spokesperson, Vusi Ndala, were each released on R10,000 bail. The case has been postponed to 6 March 2026.

Meanwhile, judicial transparency group Judges Matter is calling on the Judicial Service Commission to immediately suspend Phahlane following her arrest.

The organisation says that while Judge Phahlane remains innocent until proven guilty, the seriousness of the allegations requires urgent action from the JSC.

Media Statement

26 November 2025

STATEMENT BY CHIEF JUSTICE MANDISA MAYA FOLLOWING THE ARREST OF A GAUTENG HIGH COURT JUDGE

Please see full statement below.

Visit: https://t.co/vjBZfXMi1U pic.twitter.com/GdsXRZzo82

— RSAJudiciary (@OCJ_RSA) November 26, 2025

Judges Matter’s Mbekezeli Benjamin has called on the JSC to swiftly advise President Cyril Ramaphosa to place her on suspension.

“Any delay in the JSC acting would cause irreparable damage to the reputation of the judiciary,” said Benjamin.

Judges Matter also wants all cases previously handled by Phahlane to be immediately reassigned to other judges to avoid any disruption.

The group says the JSC must urgently obtain the complaint documents from prosecutors and appoint a misconduct tribunal to investigate the allegations.