Judges Matter calls for the immediate suspension of Judge Phahlane over bribery allegations

Judges Matter has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to immediately suspend Gauteng High Court Judge Portia Phahlane in the wake of serious bribery allegations.

Phahlane is accused of receiving millions in gratification to deliver a favourable judgment in the long-running International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) succession battle — a dispute that has been before the High Court for nearly a decade after the death of founder’s son, Glayton Modise.

The judge, who is currently presiding over the succession matter, appeared in court alongside three co-accused – including her son and the leader of the church’s Jerusalem faction, Benedicta Sandlana. The accused were granted bail.

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.

The state has asked that Phahlane surrender her passport by Friday and be barred from entering Pretoria’s High Court.

In her affidavit, Phahlane claimed she is the target of a personal vendetta and that the charges stem from that animosity.

She said similar allegations were previously made against her during the IPHC succession trial, which led to calls for her recusal.

Meanwhile, the case against another accused, Mike Sandlana, was postponed for seven days for a formal bail application. His matter will return to court on 3 December 2025 for further investigation.

The Judicial watchdog says the seriousness of the charges requires the Judicial Service Commission to urgently appoint a Judicial Conduct Tribunal, adding that the allegations go to the heart of a judge’s constitutional duty to act without fear, favour, or prejudice.

The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development has also expressed shock at the arrest.

Committee Chairperson, Xola Nqola, says the matter risks eroding public trust in the judiciary, adding that the most troubling element is the alleged use of money to influence the administration of justice.

“In a corruption-infested society such as ours, it would be too slippery a road if judges started accepting brown envelopes on matters that are before courts awaiting adjudication,” Nqola said.

MEDIA STATEMENT

COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE EXPRESSES SHOCK AT ARREST OF JUDGE

Parliament, Wednesday, 26 November 2025 –The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development has noted with shock the arrest of a sitting High Court judge on corruption charges yesterday, 25…

— Xola Nqola🇿🇦 (@Xola_Nqola) November 26, 2025

How can a whole Judge get bail after protecting a murderer

Judge Portia Phahlane

— IG:Joy-Zelda (@joy_zelda) November 26, 2025

I hope that faction doesn’t know that Judge Phahlane was allocated this IPHC matter by then Deputy Judge President of the Gauteng Division – Judge Ledwaba😭

— Manikivana (@Manikipi) November 26, 2025

Judge Portia Phahlane has truly disappointed me. An entire sitting judge appearing for corruption and fraud related charges? Yho.

— coco (@Cocobby02) November 26, 2025