Christmas behind bars: Court denies bail for Limpopo musician Shebeshxt

Lehlogonolo Chauke, also known as Shebeshxt, is a well-known Limpopo lekompo musician who was denied bail at the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on Wednesday. As a result, he will spend Christmas in prison.

When the "Rato Laka" hitmaker showed up in court on Wednesday, the magistrate rejected his request for bail and put the case on hold until February 2026.

His lawyer, Advocate Isaac Mokgopo, acting on instructions from Ramusi Attorneys, had previously applied for bail of R50,000. 

The bail hearing began on Monday, December 8.

However, the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Phaladi Makola, reportedly opposed bail, telling the court that the musician has had repeated run-ins with the law over the years. 

Makola said Shebeshxt has failed to make use of the many second chances he has been given since 2015.

The “Ambulance hitmaker faces nine serious charges, including three counts of attempted murder.

His arrest followed a shooting incident in Ladanna, Polokwane, in which two men were shot. One of the victims remains in a critical condition in hospital.

During an earlier bail hearing on Thursday, November 27, Shebeshxt submitted an affidavit confirming that he is expecting a child with his long-term girlfriend, Kholofelo Chuene.

He mentioned the pregnancy as one of the reasons he should be granted bail.

The news comes after the couple lost their nine-year-old daughter, Onthatile Chuene, in a fatal car accident last year. 

While Chuene had previously neither confirmed nor denied the pregnancy, a video circulated on social media shortly after the hearing showing her heavily pregnant.

In the affidavit, Shebeshxt said that Chuene, who is financially dependent on him, was expected to give birth in the first week of December. 

He also told the court that he supports his family and in-laws financially and pays R5,000 a month in child support for his eight-year-old daughter.

However, state prosecutor Advocate Kgaogelo Lekoloane rejected the defence’s arguments, and said that the defence had failed to prove any exceptional circumstances.

Lekoloane added that the attempted murder in Ladanna was allegedly committed while the accused was out on bail for similar offences and other charges.

IOL News