JOHANNESBURG - Disgraced International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) leader, Michael Sandlana has been discribed as a dangerous man.
An anonymous whistleblower has alleged that Sandlana is willing to kill in order to retain power.
Sandlana faces corruption and money laundering charges for allegedly bribing High Court Judge Portia Phahlana to rule in his favour in civil matters.
The whistleblower says the faction Sandlana leads is not a religious organisation, but a criminal enterprise.
READ: Judge, son, IPHC leaders in hot water over bribery claims
Sandlana, Vusi Ndala, Phahlane and her son Kagiso appeared at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria in November.
This was after Phahlane was accused by factions of the IPHC church that she had received bribes to come to the Jerusalem faction's favour in court decisions.
Investigations revealed a paper trail of money of amounting to millions of rands was allegedly exchanged between Phahalane and Sandlana.
Phahlane was placed on special leave by Chief Justice Mandisa Maya. Maya said the decision was taken to safeguard the integrity of the judiciary. A process to suspend her is underway.
The fight for the ownership and control of the IPHC has ben going on for almost a decade.
The church was founded in 1962 by former ZCC minister Frederick S. Modise. After his death in 1998, His son, Glayton M. Modise took over.
The younger Modise died in 2016 resulting in a succession battle between his sons, Leonard and Tshepiso.
After a seven year battle, the brothers eventually abandoned their claims to leadership in 2023.
The church came under Sandlana's leadership - who also claimed to be Modise's biological son - who is being challenged by the brothers and other factions in the church.
For more, watch the full interview on DStv403 on 13 December 2025