Key Takeaways
- Musician Lehlogonolo "Shebeshxt" Chauke appears in court for a bail hearing after the state adds six new charges to his initial charges.
- The accused’s lawyer, Adv Lot Ramusi, presents several reasons why bail should be granted, including the accused’s family and financial responsibilities.
- The state adds new charges, which the accused pleads not guilty to, and the court hears testimony from the investigating officer, Phaladi Makola.
- The case is postponed to December 8, with the investigating officer set to continue testifying.
- The accused’s arrest stems from an incident in which he allegedly fired shots at another vehicle, injuring a 34-year-old male occupant.
Introduction to the Case
The Polokwane magistrate’s court has seen a significant increase in security as musician Lehlogonolo "Shebeshxt" Chauke appears for a bail hearing. This comes after the state added six new charges to his initial charges, prompting a postponement of the bail application on Tuesday. The accused’s lawyer, Adv Lot Ramusi, presented the bail application, highlighting several reasons why bail should be granted. These reasons include the accused’s family responsibilities, such as his partner being heavily pregnant and due to give birth in early December, as well as his financial obligations to his child, parents, and in-laws.
The Accused’s Bail Application
Adv Ramusi outlined the accused’s financial responsibilities, stating that he provides monthly maintenance payments to his child and contributes R25 000 and R13 000 to his parents and in-laws, respectively. The accused also has a number of upcoming events scheduled during the festive season, with 42 gigs booked and deposits already paid in full. However, since his arrest, he has lost 7 gigs and stands to lose more if he is not granted bail. In his affidavit, the accused stated that his incarceration has affected the livelihoods of his family and those who depend on him. The accused pleaded not guilty to the new charges added by the state and denied any involvement in the alleged crimes.
The State’s Case
The state added six new charges to the accused’s initial charges, which he pleaded not guilty to. The accused denied any involvement in the alleged crimes, stating that some of the complainants had withdrawn their cases against him. In one of the new charges, the accused claimed that he was performing at an event in Seshego when he heard gunshots and was subsequently arrested. He maintained that he had notified the police that he was not involved in the shooting and that the person responsible had confessed to the crime. The investigating officer, Phaladi Makola, was called to the stand to testify about the recent incident that led to the accused’s arrest.
Testimony of the Investigating Officer
Makola testified about the incident that occurred in Ladanna, which led to the accused’s arrest. The incident involved a confrontation between the accused and another motorist, during which the accused allegedly fired several shots at another vehicle, injuring a 34-year-old male occupant. The victim was rushed to a local hospital with serious injuries and was in a coma for 4 days. Makola noted that the victim is still in hospital and that the case is still under investigation. The court was temporarily adjourned, with the investigating officer set to continue testifying on December 8.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The case has been postponed to December 8, with the court unavailable in the next week due to other matters in another jurisdiction. The accused’s lawyer, Adv Ramusi, requested that the accused be released on R50 000 bail, citing his family and financial responsibilities. The court will reconvene on December 8, with the investigating officer set to continue testifying. The outcome of the case remains uncertain, with the accused maintaining his innocence and the state pushing for a guilty verdict. As the case continues, it is clear that the accused’s freedom and livelihood hang in the balance, with significant consequences for his family and those who depend on him.
