POLOKWANE: Lekompo musician Lehlogonolo Katlego “Shebeshxt” Chauke returned to the witness stand at the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court as his legal team continued re-examining him in his latest bid for bail.
His defence came out strongly, raising questions about alleged police bias, irregularities in the investigation and the failure to produce CCTV footage that it says could be crucial to the case.
The court was packed, with members of Chauke’s family and fans turning up to support the musician as he makes his fifth attempt to secure release on bail.
Senior defence counsel, Advocate Mutheiwana Sikhwari, took an aggressive approach, challenging the state’s case against Chauke, who faces 21 charges, including four counts of attempted murder linked to an alleged shooting in Ladanna in October 2025.
Defence questions investigating officer’s impartiality
One of the key areas of contention was the credibility and impartiality of the lead investigating officer, Captain Phaladi Makola.
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During the re-examination, the defence raised allegations that Makola had a close personal or family relationship with the complainant, Petrus Ralefatane, potentially raising questions about his independence in handling the investigation.
The court heard that Makola had allegedly disclosed the connection on July 10 while collecting Chauke from prison.
Police docket comes under scrutiny
Sikhwari also scrutinised the police docket, focusing on Statement A1, the document used to open the case.
The defence highlighted that the statement, allegedly compiled by Sergeant Legodi, was not dated.
Counsel further argued that the paperwork appeared to indicate that a police officer, rather than the complainant, had formally opened the case. The defence questioned the circumstances surrounding the document and its preparation.
The proceedings also touched on a potential witness who allegedly withdrew from testifying after receiving threats.
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Alibi and missing CCTV footage
The defence also challenged the state’s account of what happened during the early hours of the alleged shooting, which reportedly took place at about 3am.
Testimony placed Chauke alone at a nearby fuel station, rather than with an accomplice as previously suggested by the state.
The missing CCTV footage from the alleged crime scene remained another major point of contention.
The defence expressed frustration that the footage had still not been produced, despite repeated court appearances and delays. It referred to a previous appearance on September 30, 2026, when the video evidence was also not available.
With the main trial scheduled to begin on May 17, 2027, Chauke’s legal team argued that it was unfair for him to remain in custody while evidence it considers important to the case had yet to be produced.
