The Polokwane Magistrate’s Court has reserved judgment in the high-profile bail application of controversial Limpopo artist Lehlogonolo Chauke, popularly known as Shebeshxt, with a ruling expected on Thursday at 10am.
Chauke, who is making his third attempt at bail, remains behind bars as Magistrate Godfrey Netshiozwi weighs sharply contested arguments from both the defence and the state.
Represented by attorney Michael Khumalo, the defence has mounted an aggressive push for the artist’s release, arguing that a combination of new facts and alleged rights violations amount to exceptional circumstances.
Controversial artist battling ongoing pain
At the centre of the defence’s case is Chauke’s deteriorating health.
His legal team told the court that a surgical screw in his ankle is believed to be dislodged, causing ongoing pain, while a psychologist’s report indicates he requires continuous mental health treatment until at least October 2026.
The court also heard that Chauke missed a scheduled therapy session in February after his previous bail bid was denied.
Khumalo argued that these developments are new and demonstrate that Chauke is not receiving adequate care while in custody.
He further claimed that complaints about his condition were either ignored or not properly recorded by correctional services officials, pointing to what he described as systemic failures within the prison system.
“These failures translate into constitutional violations,” the defence submitted, insisting that Chauke’s rights are being infringed.
The defence also took aim at the state’s handling of the matter, arguing that prosecutors failed to present evidence in the current proceedings.
According to Khumalo, this failure effectively leaves the application unopposed in law.
Chauke’s medical condition not new facts
However, state prosecutor Kgaogelo Lekoloane pushed back, dismissing the claims as a repackaging of issues already raised in earlier bail attempts.
Lekoloane argued that Chauke’s medical condition, financial difficulties, and family circumstances were known at the time of his initial application and cannot now be presented as new facts.
The state further maintained that bail proceedings do not remedy shortcomings within correctional services, even if such failures exist.
It also rejected suggestions of bias linked to the involvement of a senior magistrate in earlier warrant proceedings, arguing there is no objective basis to question the court’s impartiality.
In closing, the prosecution insisted that Chauke has failed to meet the legal threshold required for release, stressing that the burden remains on him to prove exceptional circumstances in the interests of justice.
With both sides standing firm, Netshiozwi must determine whether the issues raised qualify as new facts and whether they are compelling enough to justify bail.
Chauke remains in custody, with Thursday’s ruling set to decide his immediate future.
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- The Polokwane Magistrate’s Court has reserved judgment on controversial artist Lehlogonolo Chauke’s third bail application, with a ruling expected Thursday at 10 am.
- The defence cites Chauke’s worsening health, including an ankle injury and ongoing mental health treatment, as new facts and rights violations justifying bail.
- Chauke’s lawyer argues the prison system has failed to provide adequate medical care, amounting to constitutional rights infringements.
- The state counters that Chauke’s medical issues and personal circumstances were already known in earlier bail attempts and do not constitute new facts, stressing he has not met the legal threshold for bail.
- Magistrate Netshiozwi will decide if the defence’s claims are sufficiently new and serious to grant bail; Chauke remains in custody until the ruling.
Chauke, who is making his third attempt at bail, remains behind bars as Magistrate Godfrey
Represented by attorney Michael
At the centre of the defence’s case is Chauke’s deteriorating health.
His legal team told the court that a surgical screw in his ankle is believed to be dislodged, causing ongoing pain, while a psychologist’s report indicates he requires continuous mental health treatment until at least October 2026.
He further claimed that complaints about his condition were either ignored or not properly recorded by correctional services officials, pointing to what he described as systemic failures within the prison system.
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However, state prosecutor Kgaogelo Lekoloane pushed back, dismissing the claims as a repackaging of issues already raised in earlier bail attempts.
Lekoloane argued that Chauke’s medical condition, financial difficulties, and family circumstances were known at the time of his initial application and cannot now be presented as new facts.
It also rejected suggestions of bias linked to the involvement of a senior magistrate in earlier warrant proceedings, arguing there is no objective basis to question the court’s impartiality.
In closing, the prosecution insisted that Chauke has failed to meet the legal threshold required for release, stressing that the burden remains on him to prove exceptional circumstances in the interests of justice.
Chauke remains in custody, with
