Mediamec Limpopo musician Lehlogonolo Chauke, better known as Shebeshxt, will remain behind bars after the Polokwane High Court dismissed his urgent bid for bail, bringing an end to his latest attempt to secure temporary freedom.
The “Rato Laka” hitmaker had approached the High Court to overturn a previous ruling by the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court, which refused to grant him bail. His legal team had proposed that he be released on R50,000 bail, but the court was not convinced that this would be in the interests of justice.
Delivering a short but firm ruling, Acting Judge AJ Burnett made the decision clear, stating that “the appeal is dismissed”, meaning the artist will stay in custody while the criminal case against him continues.
The state strongly opposed his release, arguing that Shebeshxt has had multiple encounters with the law and failed to take advantage of earlier opportunities to stay out of trouble. Prosecutors also raised concerns that releasing him could jeopardise the case.
They warned the court that “there is a danger that the appellant will interfere with witnesses,” a factor that played a major role in the decision to keep him in custody.
Shebeshxt is facing nine serious charges, including three counts of attempted murder, linked to a shooting incident in Ladanna, Polokwane. During the incident, two people were shot, while another victim remains in critical condition in hospital.
In his attempt to secure bail, Shebeshxt submitted an affidavit explaining that he and his long-term partner, Kholofelo Chuene, are expecting a child. He asked the court to consider his family responsibilities, but the High Court ruled that these personal circumstances did not outweigh the seriousness of the charges.
The case has been further clouded by tragedy, as the couple previously lost their nine-year-old daughter, Onthatile, in a car accident in June 2024 — a loss the musician has spoken about publicly.
Despite this, the court found that the risks associated with releasing Shebeshxt were too high, given the nature of the allegations and the potential impact on the investigation.
The matter will now return to the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on 18 February 2026, where proceedings against the musician will continue.
