IPHC Jerusalem leader to spend festive season behind bars

Leader of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) Jerusalema faction, Mike Sandlana, is expected to spend Christmas and New Year behind bars after his bail application was postponed to 6 March 2026.

Appearing in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday, Sandlana's lawyer, Advocate Mike Hellens SC, told the court they had not yet gathered all the necessary facts to proceed with a formal bail application.

Sandlana was arrested on Tuesday night along with Pretoria High Court judge Portia Phahlane, her son Kagiso, and Vusi Ndala. He faces 19 counts of corruption. It is alleged that he offered bribes to Phahlane in exchange for a favourable judgment in the long-running succession battle within the wealthy church, which boasts millions of members in Southern Africa.

Outside court, hundreds of supporters gathered

Inside the courtroom, the magistrate dismissed several last-minute applications from people claiming to represent the media including an outlet affiliated with the church saying they lacked proper credentials and were not compliant with court requirements.

IPHC member Mighty Mabule, part of the crowd supporting Sandlana, described him as a community leader with a “good heart” who helps impoverished families, provides learning material to schools and supports children in need.

“We are here as members of the IPHC and as the South African community to support our father,” he said.

“We respect the rule of law. We are saying: let justice prevail. We will wait for the court processes to be completed.”

Sandlana and his co-accused will remain in custody until their next court appearance in March.