The State is calling for a long term of imprisonment for the Port Elizabeth church leader who was found guilty in March on four counts of corruption involving nearly 3 million rand.
Bishop Mzukisi Banzana, who was a general manager at the Mzingisi Development Trust, was convicted of soliciting bribes to award building contracts for hundreds of houses in Port Elizabeth.
Banzana's defence team asked the city's Commercial Crimes Court on Monday to sentence him to a term of correctional supervision.
The defence also called on a character witness to take the stand who said Banzana still had the community's support in areas where he worked.
Vuyani Ziziba, who is also a trustee of Mzingisi Development Trust, told the court that Banzana helped the trust from his own pocket during difficult times.
Sentencing proceedings will continue on Tuesday.
