JSC Refers Judge Portia Phahlane’s Misconduct Complaint to Tribunal
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has resolved that there are reasonable grounds to suspect Gauteng High Court Judge Portia Phahlane of gross misconduct and has requested the Chief Justice to appoint a Judicial Conduct Tribunal to investigate the allegations.
In a media statement issued today, Tuesday, 3 November 2026, the JSC confirmed that it considered a report from the Judicial Conduct Committee (JCC) on 9 October. The complaint was lodged by then Acting Gauteng Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba.
The commission found that the matter warranted referral in terms of section 177(1)(a) of the Constitution and section 19(1)(a) of the Judicial Service Commission Act.
The complaint relates to Phahlane’s arrest in November 2025 on corruption and money laundering charges linked to the long-running succession dispute within the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC).
She is accused of accepting more than R2 million in alleged bribes from church faction leader Bhekumuzi Michael Sandlana in exchange for favourable rulings in the church leadership dispute. The allegations include cash payments and money allegedly channelled towards the purchase of a property in Hartbeespoort.
Her co-accused include her son, Kagiso Phahlane, Sandlana and former church spokesperson Vusi Ndala. The accused face 19 counts of corruption and money laundering.
Chief Justice Mandisa Maya placed Phahlane on special leave following her arrest. She was subsequently barred from presiding over any cases while the JSC’s disciplinary process was underway.
The JCC had previously recommended that the complaint be referred to a tribunal, finding that the allegations, if proven, would amount to gross misconduct and could justify her removal from judicial office.
The tribunal proceedings will run independently of the criminal case, which is before the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
If the tribunal finds that Phahlane is guilty of gross misconduct, it could recommend her impeachment in terms of the Constitution.
Phahlane has denied the allegations against her.
- alleged judicial bribery, Aubrey Ledwaba, Bhekumuzi Michael Sandlana, Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, corruption and money laundering, Gauteng High Court judge, IPHC succession dispute, Judge Portia Phahlane misconduct complaint, Judicial Conduct Tribunal, Judicial Service Commission, MDNTV, mdntvlive, mdntvnews, Portia Phahlane, Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court
