The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has secured a court order freezing a luxury Hartbeespoort property worth approximately R6 million that is allegedly linked to corruption and money laundering involving Judge Portia Dipuo Phahlane.
The preservation order, granted by the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, prevents the sale, transfer or disposal of the property while forfeiture proceedings are under way. The property has also been placed under the control of a curator bonis pending the outcome of the case.
The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) obtained the order as part of an ongoing criminal prosecution before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria, where Judge Phahlane and five other accused face corruption-related charges.
According to the NPA, the Hartbeespoort property was purchased in 2022, and investigators believe it was acquired, at least in part, using proceeds of unlawful activities arising from alleged corruption and money laundering.
The preservation application follows what prosecutors describe as an extensive investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).
Court papers allege that an unlawful arrangement was established between late 2021 and early 2022 involving Judge Phahlane, church faction leader Bhekumzi Mike Sandlana and court interpreter Morongwa Malope.
Investigators claim meetings were held in Brits, Nigel and Pretoria East during which cash payments were allegedly made and discussions took place regarding the manipulation of pending church leadership litigation.
According to the NPA, the investigation further alleges that substantial funds linked to entities associated with the church dispute were later channelled towards the purchase of the Hartbeespoort property, which is registered in Judge Phahlane’s name.
The state says its application is supported by financial records, electronic tracking data, sworn witness statements and documentary evidence gathered during the investigation.
The preservation application argues that the property constitutes the proceeds of unlawful activities connected to corruption-related offences and was also allegedly used in the commission of money laundering.
The NPA stressed that the preservation order is only one aspect of a much broader investigation that remains ongoing.
Prosecutors said further legal action could follow against additional individuals alleged to have facilitated, benefited from or participated in the unlawful activities under investigation.
National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andy Mothibi said the case demonstrates the NPA’s commitment to protecting the integrity of South Africa’s justice system.
“No person is above the law, particularly those entrusted with positions of authority, integrity and public confidence,” Mothibi said.
He said the justice system depends fundamentally on public trust and that judges, prosecutors, court officials, law enforcement officers and everyone working within the justice cluster carry a heightened responsibility to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law.
“The NPA has a constitutional duty to act decisively where credible evidence points to corruption within institutions responsible for administering justice,” Mothibi said.
He also expressed concern over allegations that individuals regarded by communities as sources of moral and spiritual leadership may have participated in conduct aimed at influencing judicial processes.
“The credibility of both public institutions and social institutions is severely undermined when corruption infiltrates structures that society relies upon for justice, integrity and moral leadership,” he said.
Mothibi further noted that corruption rarely involves only two individuals, but is often sustained by networks of facilitators, intermediaries, beneficiaries and enablers who assist in both committing and concealing criminal conduct.
The NPA commended the Hawks investigator assigned to the matter, saying complex corruption and money laundering investigations require meticulous financial analysis, disciplined evidence gathering and sustained investigative expertise.
The authority reiterated its commitment to using all available legal mechanisms to combat corruption, recover the proceeds of crime and protect the integrity of South Africa’s constitutional institutions.
The preservation order does not determine the guilt or innocence of any of the accused. The allegations against Judge Phahlane and her co-accused will be tested during the criminal trial, where they will have the opportunity to challenge the state’s evidence.
For now, however, the R6 million Hartbeespoort property will remain under the control of the court while prosecutors pursue forfeiture proceedings alongside the criminal case.
