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Pretoria Judge Arrested in Alleged Millions Rand Bribe Tied to IPHC Leadership Battle

Published

1 day ago

November 26, 2025

Chiraag

When the gavel met the underworld

Late Tuesday night, the claim that justice in Pretoria could be bought seemingly became real. Portia Dipuo Phahlane, a judge at the High Court, faces serious allegations after being arrested together with three others. The charge sheet includes corruption and money laundering, with suspicion that she accepted gratification in return for handing down a favourable ruling in the church’s succession dispute at the International Pentecost Holiness Church.

The accused individuals, aged between 32 and 64, are set to appear before the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday morning.

A church’s struggle, a judge in the spotlight

The International Pentecost Holiness Church has long been embroiled in turmoil. Since the death of its former leader several years ago, the church has fractured into rival factions. Multiple claimants vie for control, turning Sunday prayers into courtroom confrontations. This legal mess has attracted public attention in Gauteng and beyond.

According to investigators, the alleged bribe ran into millions of rand and formed part of an elaborate money trail involving several parties. The case shows just how high the stakes have become in the IPHC succession saga.

Outcry and demands for swift justice

Civil society and judicial watchdog groups have wasted no time calling for accountability. Judges Matter, a body that monitors court integrity, describes the accusations as deeply troubling. They say this incident strikes at the core of public trust in the judiciary. The group has urged the Judicial Service Commission to move quickly to suspend Phahlane.

Even before a trial begins, critics are saying any delay in suspension could damage the credibility of South Africa’s courts irreparably. Many are watching closely, hoping this case does not become another example of the powerful slipping through the cracks.

A real test for institutions

The involvement of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation and the support of the National Prosecuting Authority signal seriousness. The agencies say this arrest is part of a broader crackdown on corruption at every level.

For the International Pentecost Holiness Church, a religious movement with millions of followers across southern Africa, this development threatens to deepen divisions. For South Africa’s judiciary, it offers an opportunity to show that no one stands above the law.

But the question many are asking is simple. Have the courts lost public confidence now that a judge is accused of selling verdicts

What’s at stake for South Africans

In a country where trust in institutions is fragile, a scandal of this magnitude could fuel cynicism. For believers in the IPHC and beyond, it raises uncomfortable questions about how much influence money may have over spiritual leadership.

For ordinary citizens, the implications stretch further. If justice can be bought, what hope is there for fairness when lives and livelihoods are on the line

This case will likely become a benchmark. How it is handled will speak volumes about South Africa’s commitment to accountability and the rule of law.