Home Affairs Investigates IPHC Leader Over Multiple IDs
PRETORIA – The leader of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) Jerusalema faction, Mike Sandlana, is under investigation by the Department of Home Affairs after the discovery that he possesses three different identity documents. This revelation came to light during Sandlana's bail application at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday, where the state argued against his release.
The state's case rests on the suspicion of fraudulent activity in Sandlana's acquisition of multiple ID numbers. Lieutenant-Colonel Ludi Rolf Schnelle, the investigating officer, presented an affidavit detailing the findings of his investigation.
Sandlana and his spokesperson, Vusi Ndala, were arrested in November, along with Pretoria High Court Judge Portia Phahlane and her son Kagiso. Phahlane had presided over the contentious legal battle for control of the IPHC. Sandlana is accused of offering bribes to Phahlane in exchange for a favourable judgment in the succession dispute between himself and the Modise brothers, Leonard and Tshepiso.
Schnelle's investigation revealed that Sandlana has three distinct identity numbers, each indicating a different birth date: 15 February 1961, 15 February 1966, and 29 February 1969.
The investigating officer stated that Sandlana is registered as a South African citizen, but the process by which he obtained citizenship is now under scrutiny by Home Affairs.
Further complicating matters, Schnelle presented a document from the Odi Correctional Centre, dating back to Sandlana's arrest for allegedly pointing an unlicensed firearm at his then-wife, Miriam Mahlangu. Although the case was withdrawn by Mahlangu and the firearm was never recovered, Sandlana reportedly identified himself as belonging to the Swati ethnic group during his detention. This claim is also being investigated by the Department of Home Affairs.
Schnelle's investigation also uncovered a late registration of birth for Sandlana in 1980, recorded in the birth register. "The birth register reflects that the applicant was born in Flink Zyn Drift located in Moretele, North West province. The birth register reflects that the applicant was born on 29 February 1969," Schnelle told the court.
However, Schnelle pointed out a discrepancy: "his investigations established that the date did not exist, as February 29 1969 was not a leap year and that February 1969 ended on the 28th."
In his bail application, Sandlana addressed the issue of the discrepancies, claiming that the Department of Home Affairs had initially captured his birth year incorrectly on his ID document. He stated that he later rectified these errors. He explained that his grandparents assisted him in applying for his first ID, which was issued under the full name Bhekumzi Mike Gilbert Sandlana.
Schnelle's investigation into Sandlana's parentage revealed conflicting information. Records indicated that his parents were Jane Ntswane (born in 1916) and Wilson Sandlana (born in 1908). However, an interview with Sandlana's wife, Benedicta Sandlana, identified his mother as Sylvia Sandlana. Schnelle later clarified that Jane and Wilson were Sandlana's grandparents.
Tracing Sandlana's mother in Moretele, Schnelle noted that, based on the official records, she would have been only nine years and three months old when she gave birth to him.
The investigation also revealed that Sandlana possesses two firearm licences, one for a 9mm pistol and another for a Saiga rifle.
Schnelle argued that releasing Sandlana on bail would pose a significant risk. He suggested that Sandlana would likely claim that the state is interfering in the IPHC's factional battle and supporting the Leonard Modise faction.
"This would lead to attacks between the factions. The state is not supporting any specific faction and is solely investigating the crimes of corruption and money laundering committed by the accused in this matter," Schnelle asserted.
The investigating officer also argued that there is clear evidence that Sandlana has intimidated witnesses.
Lt-Col Schnelle told the court that, "The applicant places a huge amount of pressure and fear on the legal representatives that support him in the IPHC and in all his civil matters, forcing them to commit crimes for him. The applicant shares with them under privilege that he is responsible for hiring assassins to murder any of his adversaries or people that he claims are informers for the Modise faction. "
Schnelle further stated that Sandlana has a history of violence and unlawful possession of firearms, having been previously arrested, charged, and convicted in numerous cases. He argued that Sandlana's past conduct indicates a high likelihood of him committing further offences if released on bail.
According to Schnelle, Sandlana has travelled to Lesotho without a passport and has arrangements that allow him free passage at the Lesotho and Mozambique borders.
Schnelle also stated that evidence would be presented during the trial to show that Sandlana met with Judge Phahlane and others on several occasions before the factional battle case was assigned to her. He further alleged that Phahlane received financial benefits exceeding R2 million from Sandlana between late 2021 and throughout 2022, indicating that Sandlana committed these crimes while already out on bail in a separate case in the Pretoria Magistrates Court.
He added that a senior public prosecutor was so intimidated by Sandlana's followers and supporters that she resigned with immediate effect.
Schnelle emphasised Sandlana's ability to influence his vast following within the Jerusalema faction of the IPHC, making it easy for him to intimidate witnesses.
“The applicants’ use of his followers to threaten and intimidate is clearly evident at every court attendance … Thousands of his followers are mobilised to toyi-toyi in the streets around the court. The protection of witnesses in this instance would be virtually impossible,” Schnelle concluded.
The bail application has been postponed until December 15 for continuation. The case highlights serious allegations of corruption, fraud, and intimidation, raising significant questions about the leadership of one of South Africa's largest religious organisations.
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