Mike Sandlana, the IPHC leader, refutes claims of corruption.

In court on Wednesday, Mike Sandlana, the leader of one of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church‘s factions accused of corruption, presented himself as a philanthropist who prioritized the needs of others despite his own personal struggles.

”In a succession dispute involving three men in the wealthy church, Sandlana is accused of buying off high court judge Portia Phahlane to render a favorable ruling.

On Wednesday, the 64-year-old made an appearance in Pretoria’s specialized commercial crimes court to ask for bail. Along with Phahlane, who oversaw the contentious legal dispute over church control, and her son Kagiso, Sandlana and his spokesperson, Vusi Ndala, were detained in November.

”The state opposed his release, claiming that he was assaulted by police during his arrest, while his co-accused was released on bail. According to Sandlana’s bail affidavit, he is a well-known spiritual leader in his community and throughout the nation, and he takes great care to maintain his reputation.

He emphasized that he has no intention of endangering his reputation by attempting to avoid the law or turning into a fugitive from justice because of this. In the event that he learned the identities of any state witnesses, he promised not to tamper with the evidence or try to sway them.

”He also stated that he does not see any chance of doing so. He informed the judge that he is willing to abide by any bail requirements the judge deems suitable. In order to avoid being arrested, Sandlana also disassociated himself from an attack on police officers during a take-down operation.

”The state previously revealed that during the operation, Sandlana’s supporters and security personnel attacked two officers. Additionally, a firearm that had been taken from one officer was later found.

Since I wasn’t even at the gate where the alleged altercation between the church guards and SAPS members had occurred, I sincerely believe and maintain that it had nothing to do with me,” he stated.

”He claimed that even if the guards’ alleged actions were accurate, they could not be linked to him and used as justification for denying him bail. “I vehemently deny knowing about or being involved in the altercation between the police officers and the guards at the gate.

”He informed the court that he is presently on trial in the Pretoria regional court for a criminal case involving alleged fraud. After being arrested in April 2021, he was released on R5,000 bail.

Since the assigned prosecutor’s contract has expired, the case has been partially heard and has been temporarily postponed until January 26 in order for the state to confirm the reappointment of the prosecutor and set a date for the trial to resume.

He gave an account of his upbringing, stating that he was born in Soweto, Meadowlands, where he briefly resided with his late father, Glayton Modise, and Mirriam before moving to Lebotloane, North West, to live with his grandparents, Wilson and Jane Sandlana.

‘He stated that he has nine children, three of whom are minors, and that the church takes care of him for the most part. Additionally, he stated that he is legally wed to his estranged wife, Magalane Benedicta Sandlana (“Magalane”), and that he has four other wives that he wed in compliance with church traditions.

”According to Sandlana, he provides maintenance of R2,000 per month to all of his children, with the exception of one, for whom he pays R5,000 per a court order. A few of.

Additionally, he claimed that through his foundation, the Michael Sandlana Foundation (M), he provides funding for 22 students to attend the Russian University. S Foundation), also referred to as Tau projects, offer lodging, housing (building houses), and education to the impoverished in South Africa and the SADC regions.

”Sandlana informed the court that he has several serious long-term health issues. In order to give his legal team more time to receive his instructions, the bail hearing has been rescheduled for Monday.