Polokwane – The Polokwane Magistrate’s Court has denied bail to Lekompo musician Lehlogonolo Chauke, delivering a firm ruling that leaves him in custody.
According to SABC News, Chauke returned to court on Thursday with a fresh bail application based on what his defence described as new facts, after his initial bid for release was rejected.
He has been in custody since November 2025.
His legal representative, Michael Khumalo, argued that Chauke was not receiving adequate medical attention for a leg injury sustained in a 2024 car accident, claiming this amounted to exceptional circumstances warranting his release.
[LIMPOPO MUSICIAN FACING MULTIPLE OFFENCES-DENIED BAIL]
The Polokwane Magistrates’ Court has once again denied bail to a popular Limpopo musician Lehlogonolo Katlego Chauke (30), known by his stage name Shebe Maburna/Shebeshxt.
The accused failed to justify that there are… pic.twitter.com/C8BdSGELOf
— Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (@CrimeWatch_RSA) April 30, 2026
However, Magistrate Godfrey Netshiozwi dismissed the argument, noting that the medical issue had already been raised during the initial bail application.
According to The Citizen, the magistrate questioned the seriousness of the claim, pointing out that Chauke had not lodged any formal complaints with prison authorities about his condition. He also raised concerns over reports that the accused had allegedly been found in possession of banned substances while in custody.
“One would expect that the accused was undergoing serious pain. Despite that, there has been an alleged commission of other offences after such an observation,” Netshiozwi said in court.
He added that the issues presented were not new.
The Polokwane Regional Court has dismissed the bail application of Lehlogonolo Chauke known musically as Shebeshxt. The decision is based on new facts brought by the accused, after finding that he failed to convince the court that his release would be in the interest of justice. pic.twitter.com/9ahX1M4P2C
— NPASouthAfrica (@NPA_Prosecutes) April 30, 2026
“The issue of the applicant’s medical condition was ventilated in the previous bail application. After considering submissions from both sides, the court is satisfied that the accused failed to discharge the onus of proving new facts that constitute exceptional circumstances,” he said.
In a strongly worded ruling, Netshiozwi stated: “The evidence presented constitutes an embroidery of already known facts. If there are no new facts before the court, the law provides that the status quo remains.”
Chauke faces nine charges, including three counts of attempted murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), robbery with aggravating circumstances, and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
He is expected to appear in the Polokwane Regional Court on 15 May.
Limpopo Musician Shebeshxt Denied Bail for Third Time
Popular Limpopo Lekompo artist Lehlogonolo Katlego Chauke (30), better known as Shebeshxt or Shebe Maburna, will remain behind bars after the Polokwane Magistrates’ Court denied his bail application for the third time this… pic.twitter.com/MquzQfML39
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) April 30, 2026
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
