Shebeshxt loses fourth bail bid

By Rorisang Modiba

• The High Court in Polokwane dismissed Shebeshxt’s fourth bail application, ruling that he failed to present exceptional circumstances for his release.

• His legal team argued that the birth of his child, his leg injury and a R100,000 bail offer were new facts, but the court rejected those arguments.

Lekompo musician Lehlogonolo “Shebeshxt” Chauke will remain behind bars after suffering another major court defeat.

The High Court in Polokwane dismissed his latest appeal for bail on Wednesday, leaving the Limpopo artist in jail as he awaits trial.

It was the fourth time Shebeshxt tried to secure his release.

Judge Karim Pillay ruled that the musician failed to convince the court that exceptional circumstances existed to justify granting bail.

The judge said the defence had not brought forward genuinely new information.

“Most of the alleged new facts relied upon by the appellant were not genuinely new facts, but merely a repetition, reshuffling or enhancement of the evidence already presented during the initial bail proceedings,” Pillay said.

The defence argued that the State’s case was weak and asked the court to release Shebeshxt.

But Pillay ruled that those arguments did not meet the legal test required under Section 60(11)(a) of the Criminal Procedure Act.

“The order of the magistrate refusing admission to bail cannot be said to have been wrong. Cumulatively, all the facts raised did not establish exceptional circumstances,” he said.

He ended the hearing by dismissing the appeal.

Shebeshxt has been behind bars since November 2025.

He faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, culpable homicide, assault and malicious damage to property.

His legal team argued during last week’s hearing that there were new developments that should persuade the court to grant bail.

They pointed to the birth of his child, his need for specialised treatment for a leg injury suffered before his arrest and offered R100,000 bail if he was released.

The court rejected those arguments.

Police investigations have since linked the musician to several other cases.

He now faces 21 criminal charges after one count of illegal possession of a firearm was withdrawn by the State.

Following the judgment, Limpopo Artists Movement chairperson Mpoza Mashabela expressed disappointment with the court’s decision.

The ruling also sparked strong reactions on social media.

One user posted: “A lesson for the youth. This guy was perpetuating an irresponsible and dangerous culture.”

Another wrote: “We can not justify crime whether it was committed by a nobody or a celebrity, there is nothing different about this guy. He is exactly where he always wish to be.”

Shebeshxt will remain in custody while the criminal case against him continues.

Pictured above: Shebeshxt.

Image source: File.