Banned from Court: Judge Phahlane’s Strict Bail Conditions in R2.4m Corruption Case

In an unprecedented move that has sent shockwaves through the South African judiciary, a sitting High Court Judge has been barred from entering the very courts she presides over. Judge Portia Phahlane, 57, was granted R50,000 bail in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday, but her freedom comes with a set of severe restrictions.

Phahlane, her 32-year-old son Kagiso, and a co-accused, Vusi Soli Ndala, face 19 counts of corruption, fraud, and money laundering. The core of the state’s case alleges that Phahlane accepted approximately R2.4 million in bribes to rule in favour of Bhekumuzi Mike Sandlana, the leader of the International Pentecost Holiness Church, in an ongoing civil case.

The Alleged Bribery Scheme

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the payments were made between 2021 and 2022. “It is alleged that… Ndala and Sandlana made payments of about R2.4 million on different occasions… to and for the benefit of Judge Phahlane, for her to preside over Sandlana’s ongoing civil case at the high court and ultimately rule in his favour,” said NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.

The arrests were the result of what the NPA described as “intensive prosecution-led investigations” by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team.

The Strict Terms of Freedom

While the state did not oppose bail for Phahlane, her son, and Ndala, deeming them not to be flight risks, the court imposed strict conditions to protect the integrity of the investigation. The accused are ordered to:

• Not interfere with witnesses or the investigation in any way, directly or indirectly.

• Surrender their passports and all travel documents to the investigating officer by Friday, 28 November 2025.

• Refrain from applying for any new travel documents.

Most notably, Judge Phahlane has been explicitly prohibited from entering any High Court premises, a condition that effectively suspends her from her judicial duties pending the outcome of the case.

One Accused Remains in Custody

The fourth accused, church leader Bhekumuzi Mike Sandlana, was treated differently. The state is opposing his bail, and he will remain in police custody until a formal bail application is heard on December 3, 2025.

The case against Judge Phahlane, her son, and Ndala has been postponed to March 6, 2026, for further investigation. The allegations strike at the heart of judicial integrity, suggesting a price tag was placed on justice itself. For now, a High Court Judge is free, but forbidden from the bench, as the legal process she is so familiar with now turns its focus squarely on her.

{Source: IOL}

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