Lekompo musician Lehlogonolo “Shebeshxt” Chauke’s fifth bail application postponed to October 26 – 29 at the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court.
Controversial lekompo musician Lehlogonolo “Shebeshxt” Chauke’s fifth bail application has been postponed to October 26 – 29 at the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court.
Chauke is seeking bail based on new facts after four previous applications were unsuccessful.
Two of Chauke’s previous bail applications were dismissed by the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court, while two subsequent appeals were dismissed by the Limpopo High Court.
The musician has been in custody since November 2025.
Chauke faces 21 charges, including four counts of attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, assault, reckless and negligent driving, and culpable homicide.
The latest bail application was postponed to allow the State more time for cross-examination.
Chauke returned to court with a fresh bail bid, insisting a new ballistics report challenges the state’s case over the alleged shooting.
He says the report could undermine the state’s version of a shooting that has kept him behind bars since November 2025.
This is his fifth attempt, with his previous applications having failed.
The latest argument centres on a report compiled by forensic ballistics specialist Dr Christo de Klerk.
According to the statement read in court by his legal representative, Chauke maintains there was never a shooting involving him and Petrus Ralefatane on October 19, 2025.
Chauke further claims he was “framed”. He argues that the ballistics report could cast doubt on evidence contained in the police docket.
The defence has indicated it could call De Klerk to testify about his findings.
The defence is seeking to distinguish the latest application from earlier unsuccessful attempts.
Chauke’s legal troubles stem from an alleged road rage incident in Ladanna, Polokwane, in October 2025.
The state alleges that a man and his friend encountered the musician.
Shots were fired, with one person allegedly injured and a vehicle damaged.
Chauke was subsequently arrested in November and has remained in custody.
The case has since expanded considerably.
He now faces 21 charges, including multiple counts of attempted murder, culpable homicide, robbery with aggravating circumstances, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. Previous bail attempts have included arguments around his medical condition, the strength of the state’s evidence and allegations of judicial bias.
However, those efforts, including appeals, have not resulted in his release.
The trial was postponed after his newly appointed advocate, Sydwell Sikhwari, told the court the defence needed more time to familiarise itself with the case and documentation.
The state continues to oppose his release. Meanwhile, the defence challenges the evidence.
For now, the latest bail application gives Chauke’s defence another opportunity.
They will challenge the circumstances surrounding the allegations before trial begins in 2027.
However, the claims made in court remain allegations, and the shooting and other charges against Chauke have yet to be tested fully at trial.
The court will ultimately determine whether the new evidence meets the legal threshold for bail.