POLOKWANE – Security heightens at the Polokwane magistrate’s court as musician Lehlogonolo “Shebeshxt” Chauke appears for bail.

This after his bail application was postponed on Tuesday after the state added six more charges to his initial charges.

The accused’s lawyer, Adv Lot Ramusi, presented the bail application, outlining several reasons why bail should be granted.

These reasons include that the accused’s partner, Kholofelo Chauke, is heavily pregnant and due to give birth in early December. Additionally, the accused has a child living in Krugersdorp whom he supports with monthly maintenance payments.

He also provides financial support to his parents and in-laws, contributing R25 000 and R13 000 each month, respectively, as his partner is currently unemployed.

Ramusi stated that since the suspects’ arrest, he has lost 7 gigs and has another 42 upcoming events scheduled during the festive season.

He also pointed out that most event organisers have already paid deposits in full, which represents a significant loss for him since he is unable to work.

“Since my incarceration, my family and the people depending on me, their livelihoods have been affected,” the affidavit read.

On the new charges that were added by the state on Tuesday, the accused noted he pleads not guilty and denies the charges, as some of the complainants have withdrawn their cases against him.

In another charge that the state added, Chauke noted, “I was performing in Seshego at an event. While I was performing, I heard gunshots, and after my performance, I was arrested. I did notify the police that I was not part of the shooting, and the person who was, confessed to the police.”

Ramusi further added that they ask the accused be released on R50 000 bail.

Court was temporarily adjourned and resumed with the investigating officer, Phaladi Makola, called to the stand.

Makola testified on the recent incident which took place in Ladanna which led to the accused’s arrest. It was executed through a joint operation between the Provincial Investigation Unit and the Provincial Tracking Team following the issuance of a warrant of arrest linked to a case of two counts of attempted murder registered at Westernburg SAPS.

The arrest stemmed from an incident that occurred in the early hours of October 19, along Witklip Street in Ladanna, outside Polokwane. It is alleged that the suspect had a confrontation with another motorist, during which he fired several shots at another vehicle, injuring a 34-year-old male occupant, who was rushed to a local hospital with serious injuries.

Makola noted the victim was in a coma for 4 days and is still in hospital today.

The case has been postponed to December 8 after Magistrate Godfrey Netshiodzwi noted the court will not be available in the next week as it will be dealing with other matter in another jurisdiction.

Makola will continue testifying then.