Judge Portia Phahlane and her son have both been arrested.The arrests occurred on November 25, 2025, following allegations that Judge Phahlane received a R6 million bribe.

The alleged bribe was reportedly from Bhekimuzi Sandlana, who is facing fraud and murder charges. The payment was allegedly in exchange for ensuring cases against Sandlana were dismissed or otherwise went away.

At the time the news broke, it was reported that Sandlana himself was arguing and trying to prevent his own arrest from being carried out, though he and his associate later handed themselves over to the police. The charges are related to alleged judicial corruption, and the story is still developing. No official confirmation from authorities has been released yet. 

Bhekumuzi Sandlana (also known as Michael Bhekumuzi Gilbert Sandlana) is the controversial leader of the Jerusalem faction of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC), one of South Africa’s largest churches. He is primarily known for his role in the ongoing, multi-million rand leadership dispute and associated legal issues that have plagued the church since the death of its founder, Bishop Glayton Modise, in 2016.

Key Details and Controversies

• Leadership Dispute: Sandlana claims to be the rightful successor to the late Bishop Modise and asserts he is his biological son, a claim disputed by the Modise family and other church executives who have requested DNA verification. The church’s headquarters are in Zuurbekom, while Sandlana runs the Pretoria faction.
• Fraud Allegations: Sandlana has faced multiple legal issues, including charges of fraud and identity theft.
  • Forged Death Certificate: He was arrested after his estranged wife, Benedicta Sandlana, discovered he had forged a death certificate in her name and attempted to transfer her assets (including a car) into his name while she was alive.
  • Stolen Identity: He is also accused of fraudulently using the late Bishop Modise’s identity documents to divert church assets, such as buses, to a company under his control.
  • Multiple ID Numbers: Police reports indicate he has used two different ID numbers, one from 1961 and another from 1966.
• Church Violence: The leadership battle has been marked by violence, including a deadly attack at the church’s Zuurbekom headquarters in July 2020 that left five people dead. Cars used in the attack reportedly had key rings bearing Sandlana’s picture.