POLOKWANE – Popular Lekompo musician Lehlogonolo ‘Shebeshxt’ Chauke was denied bail for the third time at the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Thursday (April 30).

Judge: Evidence is ’embroidery of already known facts’

Chauke started a new bail application on new facts however presiding judge Godfrey Netshiozwi noted the facts brought before court did not warrant exceptional circumstances to be granted bail.

This includes the birth of his new child, financial loss, and an urgent need for a leg operation.

Netshiozwi noted this should’ve been done in the initial bail application.

“The evidence that has been presented constituted the embroidery of the already known facts, even at the time of the initial bail application. So far as the evidence that was presented in this matter, such evidence does not constitute new facts, the bail application in this matter is therefore refused,” he said.

Drama as gallery calls court unfair

The gallery erupted dramatically in protest, accusing the court of being unfair. However, police managed to calm the situation.

NPA provincial spokesperson Mashudu Malabi welcomed the decision by the court.

“We welcome the decision made by the court , the court has agreed with the state that there is no new facts. The facts that were brought were initially brought in the initial bail application,” she said.

The matter has been transferred to Regional Court on May 15 for pre-trial.