Judge Portia Dipuo Phahlane among 4 arrested for alleged bribe. Photo by: Alet Pretorius/ Gallo Pictures
(The Post News) – A Pretoria High Court Judge has been taken into custody over allegedly accepting a multi-million rand bribe linked to a church leadership dispute. Judge Dipuo Phahlane was among the four who got arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DO I) commonly known as HAWKS on Tuesday night, 25th November 2025.
The arrest happened after a major corruption and money laundering investigation was linked to a succession dispute within the International Pentecost Holiness Church. According to Katlego Mogale, HAWKS spokesperson, the suspects are aged from 34 – 64. They face charges of corruption and money-laundering.The suspects are expected to appear before the Pretoria Serious Commercial Crimes Court on 26th November 2025, Wednesday morning.
The HAWKS Welcome The Arrest
The investigation revealed a detailed money trail which amounted to millions in revenue that was exchanged among the accused group of four. Siphesihle Nkosi, acting HAWKS Lieutenant welcomed the arrests. Nkosi gives credit to the DPCI’s unwavering commitment to tackling all forms of crime at all levels.
He further explained that the excellent work done by the Serious Corruption Investigations Team, with the support from their partners in the National Prosecuting Authority is a reflection of the strength of their collective. He ensures to continue pursuing all those who abuse their positions in power and underestimate the rule of the law.
IPHC Leadership Succession
The arrests made are a marking of terrible turn of events in the long-running leadership dispute within the church. This controversial feud started after the death of its leader on the 9th February 2016, Glayton Modise. His passing was catalyst to catastrophic succession battles among his sons and senior church figures. The congregation went their separate ways, sparking numerous courtcases for the control IPHC’s assets and influence.
Leonard Modise, son of Glayton Modise got himself involved in a legal feud with the IPHC’s trustees over luxury cars worth more than 200 million. Modise claims to have purchased the vehicles from the father’s estate executors, however this was contested by the trustees.
He is a leader in the IPHC and his headquarters are based in Zuurbekom, South Africa. Following the death of his father, there has been a bitter power struggle for leadership within the church among three main characters. Leonard Modise, Tshepo Modise who leads the Splinter group and Micheal Sandlana who claims to be Glayton’ son out of Wedlock.
Th feud was marked by court battles, corruption claims, violence and a deadly attack on the church’s headquarters in 2020. In July 2023, Leonard and Tshepo made an announcement on their reunion and their intentions to withdraw their succession application in court. Their efforts suggested rivalry against Micheal Sandlana.
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