News24 | Church leader accused of bribing judge denied bail, will spend Christmas behind bars

Corruption-accused Judge Portia Phahlane and her co-accused make their first appearance in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Pretoria.

International Pentecost Holiness Church (IPHC) leader Bhekumzi Mike Sandlana, who is accused of bribing High Court judge Portia Phahlane, will spend Christmas behind bars after the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court denied his bail application on Monday.

Magistrate Nica Setshogoe ruled that Sandlana failed to prove exceptional circumstances warranting his release, dismissing his claims of life-threatening medical conditions as insufficient grounds for bail.

The 64-year-old church leader, who faces charges of bribing Judge Phahlane for a favourable judgment in a church succession battle, will remain in custody at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility.

Setshogoe said: “So, taking cognisance of Sandlana’s ailments, which I do not undermine, there is nothing presented from the prison to say that the facility cannot take care of the condition of the applicant.”

More to follow.

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