THE whistleblower in the corruption case involving International Pentecost Holiness Church (IPHC) leader Michael Sandlana and Pretoria High Court Judge Portia Phahlane claims hitmen have been hired to kill him.
Tshepo Desmond Phuti made the hair-raising allegations in an affidavit he filed at the Germiston cop shop on 17 November 2025.
Phuti, Sandlana's former right-hand man and spokesman, blew the whistle on the alleged corruption involving the man of the cloth and Phahlane.
He alleged that there's a price on his head.
Sandlana, his spokesman Vusi Ndala, Judge Phahlane and her son were arrested in 2025 and charged with 19 counts of corruption and money laundering.
This followed allegations that Sandlana, who is leading IPHC's Jerusalem faction, transferred R2 million into a law firm's trust account, money allegedly used to purchase a R6 million property for Phahlane.
The R2 million was allegedly transferred from the church's company, Songo Group, which Phuti led at the time.
It's alleged that payment was made in exchange for Phahlane ruling in Sandlana's favour in a dispute with his alleged half-brothers, Tshepo Modise and Leonard Modise, over who should succeed the late IPHC leader Gayton Modise.
In the affidavit, which Daily Sun has seen, Phuti stated: "I have been alluding (sic) Nkabi's for the last five months, this after I was threatened with death if I dare take Sandlana on, I was patronised and labelled as a 'small boy'."
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Phuti further stated that he was indirectly attacked and challenged to go to the police through social media trolls aligned to Sandlana.
"Their confidence is informed by the extensive network of police in Sandlana's control, including police that are members of the church, represented in different departments and levels within the South African Police Service," the affidavit read.
Phuti further alleged that some SAPS officers were in Sandlana's pocket, while others were moonlighting as his bodyguards.
"Some form part of Sandlana's protection detail. Michael Sandlana has access to confidential information through these networks. He bought vehicles for some of these people, others are gratified in cash," reads the affidavit.
Phuti also said some of his former colleagues and partners, Lefa Pebane and Unathi Mkiva, were visibly scared after Sandlana allegedly threatened to lie about him and incite his disciples against him. "They are in the process of coercing them to open charges against me," he wrote.
Sandlana, he added, has a Facebook community led by one of the senior pastors of his church, which is allegedly used to attack those perceived to be against the controversial clergyman.
"It is further pertinent to note that Sandiana has historically demonstrated a capacity to compromise officers of the court. I previously affirmed that Sandlana dictated legal proceedings through Vusi Ndala in matters concerning the Executor's of MG Modise's estate against Leonard Modise.
"The evidence presented in this affidavit concerning the clandestine meetings, the provision of accommodation, the sustained financial support for security, and the camouflaged R2 million payment directly supports the contention that Sandlana systematically attempts to compromise individuals and institutions involved in legal oversight to protect his interests," he said.
Phuti confirmed that he had received death threats but said he was unable to comment further because the matter is sub judice.
National Prosecuting Authority spokeswoman Lumka Oliphant confirmed the contents of Phuti's affidavit.
"The affidavit formed part of the state's decision to oppose bail, hence Sandlana was denied bail," she said.
