International Pentecost Holiness Church (IPHC) leader Bhekumzi Mike Sandlana – accused of bribing a Gauteng High Court Judge – will remain behind bars after an appeal against his bail refusal was dismissed.
Sandlana, 64, has been charged with bribing Judge Portia Phahlane for a favourable judgment in a church succession battle that played out in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.
He was denied bail by the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court in late December. He appealed the bail refusal in the High Court.
The High Court found that the lower court was correct in its finding that Sandlana was a flight risk, accepting the State’s evidence that the church leader could move between South Africa and Lesotho, circumventing border controls in the process.
The court also accepted evidence that his identity documents had been manipulated, heightening the risk of his fleeing and obtaining a new identity to evade justice.
More to follow.
Discover the Truth
Step into a world where the truth shines bright, and every headline is worth your time. With News24, you’re not just reading the news; you are part of a community that values knowledge and insight. Immerse yourself in compelling stories, sharp analyses, and content that keeps you ahead of the curve.
Alex Mitchley
www.news24.com
