Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court Archives - MDNtv

Former Steinhoff Group Audit Executive Hein Odendaal Sentenced To Four Years’ Direct Imprisonment Or A Fine Of R2 Million

Philani Mzila — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 08:13:23 +0000

The Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Gauteng sentenced the former Steinhoff at Work, Group Audit Executive Hein Odejdaal (67) to four years direct imprisonment or fine of R2 million.

Odendaal was further sentenced to two years imprisonment wholly suspended for a period of five years, on condition that he is not convicted of contravention of section 34 (1) of the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA) committed during the period of suspension and that he subject himself to one year correctional supervision in terms of section 276(1) (h) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 51 of 1977.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Lumka Mahanjana said Odendaal was convicted and sentenced after entering into a plea and sentence agreement with the State in terms of section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act.

“In his capacity as the Group Audit Executive, Odendaal was negligent in that he ought to have suspected that other employees within Steinhoff group committed fraud therefore did not report to the police. Where on 21 November 2016 Iwan Peter Schelbert ( while acting on instructions from the then Chief Financial Officer, Andries Benjamin La Grange, he generated a fraudulent invoice to TG Sources SARL, a company based in Martigny, Switzerland.

“Following the generation of the invoice, Stephanus Johannes Grobler and others created supporting documentation and caused payments to be affected to falsely represent that the invoice reflected a legitimate transaction between Steinhoff at Work and TG Sources SARL. This fraudulent scheme resulted in the inflation of Steinhoff’s financial statements by more than R376 million,” she said.

The NPA said this conviction and sentence, which marks the fourth conviction secured in the Steinhoff matter.

“This outcome demonstrates the commitment of the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigations (DPCI)and the NPA to holding perpetrators accountable in one of the largest and most complex corporate fraud cases in South Africa’s history. The investigation and prosecution of this matter required extensive collaboration and technical expertise due to its scale and complexity. It is to be noted that the NPA takes these nature of cases serious. Each case is treated according to its merits. The plea bargains do not militate against the seriousness of these offences,” she said.

The National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Advocate Andy Mothibi said: “These outcomes should demonstrate to the public that NPA will continue to prosecute all cases whether in public or private sector without fear , favour or prejudice.”

The case against the remaining accused, Stephanus Johannes Grobler (64), has been postponed to 14 May 2026 for further proceedings.

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The Service Provider Allegedly Involved In National Department Of Health Fraud Scandal Appeared In Court

Philani Mzila — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 19:07:13 +0000

A service provider Nokuzola Mavis Mafunda (69) and her company Ithani Amen Pty Ltd represented by her, appeared briefly at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Gauteng on Thursday.

Mafunda is facing a charge of fraud worth more than R940 000.

Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Spokesperson Lumka Mahanjani said it is alleged that on 22 August 2023 the company was registered with the Commission of Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC).

“Nine days after the registration on 31 August 2023 the company was allegedly appointed by the NDoH to provide services of investigations in an internal disciplinary hearing.

Two months after the appointment on 02 November 2023, the accused submitted an invoice of more than R530 000 to the NDoH in her personal name and banking details.

The invoice was not paid because the company was not registered in the Central Supplier Database (CSD) as per the National Treasury instructions and the supply chain management does not pay individuals,” she said.

Mahanjana further said on 29 January 2025, three months after the appointment, the accused registered the company on CSD and thereafter total payments of more than R940 000 were paid to the company between 12 February 2024 and 14 January 2025.

“This came to light when Mafunda and her co-accused, Deputy Director General of Tertiary Health and Hospital Services, Dr Malixole Percival Mahlati, Chief Financial Officer Phineas Phaswa Mamogale and the Director General Sabelo Siyabonga Sandile Buthelezi were reported by the forensic investigator to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).

“After investigations by members of the Hawks’ National Serious Corruption Investigations, the three senior officials at the NDoH were arrested after they handed themselves over to the Pretoria Central Police station on 02 March 2026 and Mafunda was arrested on 05 March 2026 after handing herself over to the police,” she said.

Mahanjana said Mafunda was granted R10 000 bail on condition that she attends court at all times, not commit other offences while on bail, not enter the premises if the National Department of Health (NDoH).

She should surrender her passport to the investigation officer, not interfere with state witnesses and not discuss the matter with her cousin who is also a state witness in this case.

“In court, the state did not oppose her release on bail. The state submitted an affidavit from Investigating Officer Captain Clinton Leonard Arrikum, stating that the accused have no previous convictions or pending matters against them, that they do not pose as a flight risk and that they will not disturb the public when released on bail. The magistrate found that it was in the interest of justice that the accused be granted bail,” she said.

The case was postponed to 03 June 2026 for further investigations and appearance of all four accused in the matter.

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HIGH COURT JUDGE PORTIA PHAHLANE AND IPHC PASTOR MIKE SANDLANA BACK IN COURT

MDNtv — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 07:17:39 +0000

The corruption case involving Gauteng High Court Judge Portia Phahlane and International Pentecostal Holiness Church leader Mike Sandlana has been postponed in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.

Phahlane, Sandlana and four co-accused face 19 counts of corruption linked to a bitter leadership dispute inside the wealthy IPHC church.

According to the State, Phahlane allegedly received about R2 million in bribes to influence court rulings in favour of Sandlana during the ongoing church succession battle.

During proceedings, the State requested more time to pursue a new line of investigation, leading to the matter being postponed.

The case has drawn national attention because it involves a sitting High Court judge accused of corruption linked to judicial decisions.

MDNtv continues to follow the story as investigators dig deeper into the alleged bribery scheme and the broader leadership conflict inside the church.

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Court refuses bail for Mike Sandlana in IPHC judge bribery case, next date set

Hlakaniphile Magadlela — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 19:19:50 +0000

IPHC faction leader Mike Sandlana denied bail in judge bribery case, court flags flight risk and false evidence

The Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court has denied bail to Bhekumuzi Mike Sandlana, a senior figure linked to a faction within the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC), in a corruption case that has intensified scrutiny on both church leadership battles and the justice system.

Sandlana is among four accused facing 19 counts of corruption, linked to allegations that payments were made to benefit Gauteng High Court Judge Portia Phahlane in an attempt to influence rulings connected to the IPHC succession dispute.

Why the court refused bail

In her ruling, Magistrate Nicca Setshoga found Sandlana did not meet the legal threshold to show that his release would be in the interests of justice. The court cited several red flags, including:

High risk of evading trial, with the magistrate explicitly describing him as a likely flight risk.

Credibility concerns, after the court found he had presented false evidence during bail proceedings.

Disregard for legal processes, including criticism of an urgent High Court application that the magistrate viewed as part of a troubling pattern of conduct.

Threat allegations, with the court noting reports that some individuals had allegedly been threatened.

The postponement date

The matter has been postponed to 6 March 2026 for further investigation, and Sandlana is expected to appear again with his co accused on that date.

What the state and Hawks say

Following the ruling, Hawks representatives welcomed the outcome, saying investigators anticipated complications around the bail bid and worked to ensure opposition to bail was properly placed before court.

Why this case is drawing national attention

The allegations land in the middle of a long running IPHC leadership dispute, a conflict that has repeatedly spilled into the courts and divided congregations across factions.

If the state’s case proceeds as outlined, the spotlight will remain on two high stakes issues: judicial integrity and the alleged use of influence and money in battles for control of major religious institutions.

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