IPHC leader Sandlana to spend Easter behind bars
The corruption case against International Pentecost Holiness Church leader, Michael Sandlana, has been postponed pending further investigations.
The spiritual leader and his co-accused appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Friday.
Sandlana appeared in court alongside Pretoria High Court Judge Portia Phahlane and two others.
Sandlana is accused of paying R2.4 million in kickbacks to Judge Phahlane to influence the court case over the church’s succession battle.
The state says new information has emerged that needs to be presented.
"During investigations, new information came out that the state still needs to follow up on. Hence, we asked for another postponement to follow up that information,” said Gauteng NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.
Last month, the High Court in Pretoria dismissed Sandlana's bail appeal following his unsuccessful bail application in December.
The court found that the 64-year-old failed to satisfy the court that the interests of justice permitted his release on bail.
His lawyer, Advocate Christo Meiring, called on the court to dismiss any further postponements from the state, arguing that this is unfair to his client, who remains in custody, while his co-accused are out on bail.
Sandlana has been in custody since his arrest in November 2025.
"The state is entitled to investigate, but it cannot be given a carte blanche to investigate as long as it wants. The accused has been in custody almost four months. He is entitled to a speedy trial,” said Meiring.
"I am going to ask your worship to mark this request for further investigation as a final postponement,” he said.
Meanwhile, a warrant of arrest has been issued for accused number one, Desmond Phuti, who is yet to appear in court. His legal representative presented a medical certificate to the court confirming his unavailability due to illness.
Outside the court, scores of Sandlana’s supporters were picketing, demanding his release from custody.
The matter has been postponed to 23 July.
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