Judge accused of failing to declare third party payment
Judge Portia Phahlane allegedly failed to disclose that a third party paid R2m towards the lavish Tuscan-style R6.5m home she bought in 2022, a payment the state contends was a bribe, reports News24.
Phahlane, a judge of the Gauteng High Court (Pretoria), was arrested and charged with corruption in November 2025.
According to the state, she allegedly received more than R2m from Michael Sandlana to rule in his favour in the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) succession battle, which she was presiding over.
Central to the corruption claims is that Sandlana, through the Songo Group of Companies, paid R2m towards the purchase of the mansion in Phahlane’s name, situated in one of Hartbeespoort’s premier waterfront estates.
According to documentation attached to a NPA Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) application to forfeit the mansion, the R2m was paid into a conveyancing attorney’s trust account on 21 June 2022.
In an affidavit, former Songo director Desmond Phuthi confirmed having made the R2m payment, but on 22 June 2022, alleging it was made at Sandlana’s request.
Phahlane also allegedly sent proof of payment of the R2m via email to the estate agent handling the sale.
In an affidavit detailing aspects of his investigation, Colonel Ludi Schnelle contended that Phahlane was obligated under the Judicial Service Commission Act to disclose registrable interests, reports News24.
Schnelle said he inspected both the public and confidential portions of the judges' register in April 2026 and that ‘nothing’ was reported by Phahlane from 2021 to the date of his visit to the OCJ.
While Phahlane, through her lawyers, signalled her intention to oppose the forfeiture application, her criminal case remains on the roll and is due back in court in November.
Her co-accused include her son, Kagiso, Sandlana, Phuthi and IPHC spokesperson Vusi Ndala.
In response to a request for comment, Phahlane’s lawyer, Amorette Gangel, who handled the forfeiture litigation, said the pending proceedings would provide the judge with the appropriate forum to respond fully to the allegations and to place the relevant facts and evidence before the court.
In her bail application, Phahlane signalled her intention to plead not guilty to the charges, and said her arrest was the result of a personal vendetta.
Sandlana’s lawyer had not responded to questions.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
