Musician Shebeshxt Bail Application Postponed
The ongoing legal proceedings for Lekompo artist Lehlogonolo Chauke face another delay as the state prosecutor falls ill.
The bail application hearing for Lekompo musician Lehlogonolo Chauke, widely known as Shebeshxt, was postponed to Wednesday at the Polokwane Magistrate's Court in Limpopo. Chauke is currently facing a total of 21 criminal charges, which include four counts of attempted murder.
Magistrate Godfrey Netshiozwi formally remanded the matter because the assigned prosecutor was ill and unable to attend the court session. The defense and the state agreed on the new date during Monday's brief appearance.
Addressing the defendant in the courtroom, Magistrate Netshiozwi stated that the matter was formally adjourned for the defense to continue re-examining the accused. Chauke remains in custody, and the proceedings are scheduled to resume at 11:30 a.m.
Defense attorney Advocate Mutheiwana Sikhwari confirmed that the session will proceed with the re-examination of his client following previous cross-examination by the state. This marks Chauke's third attempt to secure release on bail, after two prior applications and subsequent High Court appeals were denied.
The 31-year-old artist, known for tracks such as Ke Di Shxt Malume, Twerka, and Ambulance, faces a wide array of serious allegations. Alongside the four attempted murder charges, his case file includes robbery with aggravating circumstances, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, common assault, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, reckless and negligent driving, culpable homicide, and malicious damage to property.
Chauke was apprehended by law enforcement on November 12, 2025, during an intelligence-driven operation in Bendor, located outside Polokwane. Police had secured an arrest warrant a day prior to the operation.
Several of the charges are connected to a reported shooting incident that took place on October 19, 2025, in Ladanna outside Polokwane, involving an individual named Petrus Ralefatane. Chauke has consistently maintained his innocence, denying any involvement in the shooting and claiming he was framed.
Throughout the previous bail hearings, the defense has actively contested the evidence put forward by the prosecution. A defense ballistics expert, Jan de Klerk, previously challenged portions of the ballistic findings, while the defense team also questioned testimony provided by the investigating officer, Captain Phaladi Makola.