IPHC succession figure Mike Sadlana’s bail bid postponed amid claims of police assault during arrest

The Pretoria Serious Commercial Crimes Court has postponed the bail application of International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) faction leader Bhekumzi Mike Sadlana, after state prosecutors alleged that his supporters assaulted and disarmed police officers during an operation to arrest him.

State prosecutor Willem van Zyl told the court on Wednesday that Sadlana’s residential address still needed to be verified, adding that the circumstances of his arrest raised serious concerns.

According to Van Zyl, when the Hawks attempted to apprehend Sadlana, “his supporters and bodyguards assaulted police officials, disarming one member of his firearm.” The gun was later recovered, but two officers were hospitalised following what he described as a “serious assault.” He added that Sadlana allegedly attempted to evade arrest and that the state would oppose bail.

Van Zyl further informed the court that Sadlana has an outstanding criminal matter for fraud, as well as a civil matter pending against him. Another criminal charge may still be added.

Sadlana’s lawyer, Ivan Motjane, pushed for the bail application to proceed, accusing the state of being “unfair and selective”. He insisted there was no evidence linking Sadlana to the alleged assault, arguing that his client had been travelling from Brits at the time the violence broke out at the church premises. The matter was postponed to 3 December.

Sadlana’s and co accused, Pretoria High Court judge Portia Phahlane, her son Kagiso Phahlane, Vusi Soli Ndala and Sadlana face charges of corruption and money laundering relating to the long-running IPHC leadership dispute.

Earlier on Wednesday, the court heard bail applications for Phahlane, her son and Ndala in the form of affidavits.

Phahlane, who presided over the succession matter, said she intends to plead not guilty.

She told the court that the charges were the result of a personal vendetta driven by parties involved in the church's bitter civil dispute.

Phahlane said she had been targeted with allegations of corruption during the succession hearings, including an application for her recusal which she dismissed. The situation escalated into death threats, prompting SAPS to assign bodyguards to her in court.

She told the court that she laid complaints of intimidation and crimen injuria against several individuals involved in the dispute, including legal practitioners. She has also instituted a civil claim against parties linked to the IPHC matter.

“I have not made myself guilty of any criminal conduct and the allegations against me are probably fuelled and motivated by parties who have ulterior motives,” she said in her affidavit.

Phahlane was granted R50 000 bail, her son R10 000 bail while Ndala was granted R10 000 bail.

All accused must surrender their passports, may not apply for new travel documents, and may not interfere with witnesses or the investigation. Phahlane has been restricted from entering two High Court buildings.

The case was postponed to 6 March 2026 for further proceedings.