Defence raises concerns over delays in Judge Phahlane's corruption case

The defence has raised concerns regarding delays in Judge Portia Phahlane's corruption case, arguing that the matter has already been postponed for over four months since the arrests, without reaching a pre-trial stage.

It's called on the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court to make the latest postponement the final delay for further investigations.

Pahlane, along with four other accused, is facing 19 counts of corruption.

It's alleged she received bribes months before the case involving Michael Sandlana's succession dispute with the International Pentecostal Holiness Church's succession dispute.

On Friday, the prosecution team, led by advocate Willem van Zyl, told the court it had recently obtained new information and needed additional time to verify the authenticity. 

This process will include interviews with members of the judiciary.

"When this matter was brought before you, the first an impression was that the investigation was basically completed and there were talks of furnishing us with dockets. We are now four months down the line. The state is entitled to investigate, but it cannot be given carte blanche to investigate for as long as it wants." 

The matter has been postponed to July.

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