Third time lucky? Lekompo artist Shebeshxt raises investigator ‘bias’ in new bail bid

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Allegations that the investigating officer has a special relationship with the complainant, that the police investigation has been completed and that the state lacks ballistic evidence linking him to an alleged shooting are among the “new facts” Lehlogonolo Chauke — better known as Shebeshxt or Shebe Maburna — has raised in his latest bid for bail.

It will be his third attempt for bail after his arrest.

Chauke handed himself over to the police in November last year after allegedly shooting an excited fan who was greeting him. The man was seriously wounded, and Chauke was charged with attempted murder.

He faces 21 charges, including assault, attempted murder and malicious damage to property.

In his affidavit submitted at the Polokwane magistrate’s court, Chauke maintains his innocence and says he intends to plead not guilty.

“The state has a weak case against me. At best, the state has no case against me. The weakness of the state case is a decisive factor in the bail application, which must tip the scale in favour of granting me bail,” he said.

The conduct of the investigating officer and the prosecution is not that of people interested in the truth, but it has all the trademarks of people interested in destroying me

Chauke alleges that investigating officer Petrus Ralefatana has a “special or family” relationship with the complainant and failed to include certain details in the statement.

“The conduct of the investigating officer and the prosecution is not that of people interested in the truth, but it has all the trademarks of people interested in destroying me as opposed to truth. It has all traits of people interested in seeing me suffering more than being interested in the interests of justice.”

He also challenges the state’s ballistic evidence relating to an alleged shooting in October 2025.

Chauke said the docket disclosed in July did not contain ballistic forensic evidence confirming that the victim’s wounds were consistent with gunshot wounds.

He said the only ballistic report or opinion in the docket was by forensic ballistics specialist Christo de Klerk, which he claims contradicts the state’s version and the evidence of Ralefatana and another state witness.

Chauke further argues that his previous bail application, which was refused on April 30, relied on what he described as an inadmissible opinion by Ralefatana, whom he said had no expertise in ballistics.

The completion of the investigations is a material development because the concern that my release may interfere with ongoing investigative steps has substantially diminished

He also disputes Ralefatana’s account of how the wounds were sustained, arguing that the investigating officer lacked medical and ballistic expertise to support his conclusions.

Chauke maintains that the alleged shooting did not happen in the manner claimed by the state and denies any involvement.

He also alleges discrepancies between the investigative material referred to by Ralefatana and evidence disclosed in the docket.

Another new fact, according to Chauke, is that the police investigation has been completed. He argues that this significantly reduces the risk of him interfering with the investigation if released on bail.

“The completion of the investigations is a material development because the concern that my release may interfere with ongoing investigative steps has substantially diminished,” he said.

“I respectfully submit that, once the investigation has been completed, there is a materially reduced basis for contending that my release would enable me to interfere with the investigation itself.”

Chauke also told the court that he had no intention of interfering with state witnesses.

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