Shebe Maburna Claims Bail Application Blocked by Charge Changes in Polokwane Court
Lekompo musician Lehlogonolo “Shebe Maburna” Chauke appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 26 October 2026, to continue his bail application amid ongoing disputes over procedural matters. Chauke faces serious charges, including four counts of attempted murder, assault, and malicious damage to property, stemming from a shooting incident in Ladanna, Polokwane, on 19 October 2025.
During the hearing, Chauke told the court that he was unable to apply for bail at the Regional Court because the state repeatedly added new charges against him during his appearances there. He said this constant addition of charges prevented him from proceeding with a bail application at that level. Chauke explained that his legal representative requested a postponement to confer with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) regarding the matter.
State prosecutor Advocate Kgaugelo Lekoloane challenged Chauke’s account, stating that there was no record of any bail application made by Chauke in the Regional Court. Lekoloane argued that Chauke’s claim was inaccurate and emphasised that the Regional Court, which is presiding over the trial, could not entertain a bail application based on new facts. The prosecutor further noted that Chauke only sought bail in the Regional Court after Advocate Sikhwari SC became involved in the case.
Chauke acknowledged that he might have misunderstood legal advice, possibly confusing a recommendation to apply in the district court with a refusal of bail in the Regional Court. This clarification came amid a tense exchange in court where the prosecutor accused Chauke of evading questions and concealing facts, particularly regarding the timeline of the alleged incident and the identity of a passenger Chauke named only recently.
Chauke also raised concerns about the impartiality of the investigating officer, Captain Phaladi Makola. He alleged that Makola was related to the complainant, which he claimed led to bias against him. Chauke said he had no opportunity to properly raise this issue previously, except in an affidavit. The prosecutor disputed this claim, stating that Makola would deny any such relationship under oath.
Further disputes arose over details such as the location and timing of the incident, with Chauke referencing differences in police statements. He maintained that some facts only emerged after reviewing the docket, including the presence of a passenger named Lehlohonolo Ntari Molapo, who was with him before his arrest but whose identity Chauke had not disclosed earlier. The prosecutor accused Chauke of concealing this information from the outset.
Chauke has been in custody since his arrest on 12 November 2025, following the shooting incident on Witklip Street in Ladanna, which reportedly involved injury to a fan and damage to a vehicle. His bail application on new facts represents at least his third attempt to secure release since the initial bail denial in December 2025 by the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court. An earlier High Court appeal against the refusal was also dismissed.
The magistrate postponed the hearing until Tuesday, 27 October 2026, at 9am. Chauke remains in custody as the court continues to consider his bail application. The trial is scheduled for May 2027, and no verdict has been reached. All charges remain allegations until proven in court.