Corruption-accused judge Phahlane claims corruption charges are a 'vendetta' in church succession battle

Disgraced high court judge, Portia Phahlane, says she believes the corruption and money laundering charges against her are fuelled by a personal vendetta by parties involved in the succession battle in the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC).

Phahlane was arrested on Tuesday along with her son, Kagiso, on charges of corruption and money laundering.

READ: Corruption-accused Judge Phahlane, son granted bail; Sandlana hearing postponed

Appearing in the dock on the same charges were the leader of the Jerusalem faction of the church, Michael Sandlana, and church spokesperson, Vusi Ndala.

Phahlane is accused of accepting bribes of over R2 million from Sandlana for a judgment in his favour.

Since the death of IPHC leader Glayton Modise in 2016, the church has been embroiled in sometimes violent leadership squabbles, even splitting three ways, with Michael Sandlana leading the Jerusalem faction Their civil case has been playing out in the high court before Judge Portia Phahlane, who is now accused of taking bribes from Sandlana.

Phahlane believes the allegations emanate from an aggrieved party in the case.

Her lawyer, Piet du Plessis, issued a statement:

"During the course of the said trial, I was personally targeted with allegations against me of corruption and an application for my recusal, which I refused. This led to various threats against my life, as a result of which I laid formal complaints with SAPS."

While Magistrate Nica Setshogoe granted Phahlane bail of R50,000, her co-accused, including her son, were also released on R10,000 bail. Prosecutors have opposed bail for Sandlana and have requested that his application be heard in the Commercial Crimes Court next week.