A luxury property in a Hartbeespoort estate is at the centre of the arrest of a High Court judge this week.

Judge Portia Phalane (57)

Judge Portia Phalane (57) was arrested on Tuesday on corruption and money laundering charges. She stands accused of receiving millions of Rands to make a certain ruling in a civil case currently before the Pretoria High Court. The money was allegedly used to buy a property in Xanadu Eco Estate for R6.5 million.
According to Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale, the matter relates to the International Pentecost Holiness Church’s long-standing succession dispute. It is alleged that Phalane received gratification in exchange for delivering a favourable judgment in the succession matter. She was arrested along with her son Kagiso (32), the leader of the International Pentecost Holiness Church, Mike Sandlana (64), and a spokesperson for the church, Vusi Ndala (49). Mogale said the takedown operation stemmed from serious allegations of corruption involving attempts to influence the civil case currently before the Pretoria High Court.
The four accused appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 26 November 2025. Phahlane was granted R50 000 bail. Kagiso Phahlane and Ndala were granted R10 000 each. The case against Mike Sandlana was postponed to 3 December 2025 for further investigation.
According to the charge sheet, Phalane made an offer of R6.5 million on the Xanadu property in Hartbeespoort in June 2022. A week later, an amount of R2 million was deposited into the trust account of the conveyancer from an account of the Songo company, which is linked to the church. A further deposit of R200 000 with the same reference was made in July. In August, R400 000 was deposited into her son Kagiso’s account, of which he paid R392 619 into the conveyancer’s account.
Phalane denies the charges against her, saying there is a personal vendetta against her. She intends to plead not guilty.
Chief Justice Mandisa Maya announced in a statement on Wednesday that Phalane would be granted special leave with immediate effect.