Limpopo musician and controversial social media personality Shebeshxt, real name Lehlogonolo Chauke, made his third bid for bail in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, arguing through medical experts that his ongoing recovery from severe injuries sustained in a June 2024 car crash is being hindered by his continued incarceration. The 29-year-old rapper, who has been in custody since November 2025 following his arrest for a road rage shooting, appeared frail and subdued in the dock, his left arm in a sling and his movements visibly limited.
The bail hearing, which is expected to conclude later this week, has drawn significant public attention due to Shebeshxt’s large following and the serious nature of the charges against him. The state continues to oppose his release, citing the severity of the Schedule 6 offenses, which include attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm, and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The Medical Testimony: A Body and Mind Still Healing
The centerpiece of Shebeshxt’s bail application was new testimony from Dr. Malose Chaba, an orthopedic surgeon who has been treating the musician since his near-fatal car crash in June 2024. Dr. Chaba told the court that Shebeshxt’s injuries were far more severe than previously understood by the public.
“He presented with multiple displaced bone fractures, including a complex fracture of the left humerus and significant damage to his right clavicle and scapula,” Dr. Chaba testified. “These are not simple breaks. These are injuries that require ongoing physiotherapy, controlled movement, and regular medical monitoring. In a correctional facility, these resources are simply not available at the level he requires.”
Dr. Chaba went on to describe the musician’s current physical limitations. “He has severely restricted mobility in his left shoulder. He cannot lift his arm above chest height. He struggles with basic tasks such as dressing himself, feeding himself, and maintaining personal hygiene without assistance. The prison environment is not equipped to accommodate these needs.”
The surgeon also raised concerns about the psychological impact of the crash and subsequent incarceration. “Mr. Chauke exhibits clear signs of post-traumatic stress disorder related to the accident. He has nightmares, flashbacks, and heightened anxiety. He has not received any psychological counseling since his detention. His mental health is deteriorating, which in turn impedes his physical recovery.”
The defense team argued that releasing Shebeshxt on strict bail conditions—including house arrest, daily reporting to a local police station, and surrendering his passport—would allow him to receive proper medical care at a private facility, funded by his family.
“My client is not a flight risk. He is a man who can barely lift his arm,” said defense advocate Thabo Mokoena. “He is not a danger to the public. He is a danger only to himself if he remains in a cell where he cannot heal. We are asking the court for compassion, not impunity.”
The Charges: A Road Rage Shooting That Shook Limpopo
The charges against Shebeshxt stem from an incident that occurred in October 2025, four months after his car crash. According to the state’s indictment, the musician was involved in a road rage altercation on the R71 outside Polokwane. Witnesses allege that after being cut off by another driver, Shebeshxt brandished a firearm and fired multiple shots at the victim’s vehicle.
One bullet allegedly struck the victim’s side mirror. Another passed through the rear window, narrowly missing a child seated in the back seat. No one was physically injured, but the victim—a 34-year-old father of two—has since testified that he suffers from severe anxiety and no longer feels safe driving on that road.
Shebeshxt was arrested at his home in Mankweng three days after the incident. Police reportedly found an unlicensed 9mm pistol hidden in a shoebox under his bed. Ballistics tests later linked the weapon to the shooting.
The musician has maintained his innocence, claiming that he was not the driver of the vehicle and that the firearm was planted. However, the state has produced cellphone tower data placing him at the scene and witness statements identifying him as the shooter.
“These are extremely serious charges,” state prosecutor Advocate Lerato Mogale told the court. “Attempted murder is a Schedule 6 offense. The accused faces a potential life sentence if convicted. He has already made two unsuccessful bail applications. Nothing has changed except the addition of medical testimony, which, with respect to Dr. Chaba, does not address the core issue: the accused is a danger to the public and a flight risk.”
The Previous Bail Denials
Shebeshxt’s first bail application was denied in December 2025, with the magistrate ruling that the state had presented a strong prima facie case and that the musician had failed to show exceptional circumstances warranting release. A second application in February 2026 was also denied after the state argued that Shebeshxt had attempted to contact witnesses through third parties—a claim the defense denied.
Under South African law, Schedule 6 offenses require an accused to prove “exceptional circumstances” to be granted bail. This is a much higher threshold than for less serious offenses. The burden shifts from the state (which normally must show why bail should be denied) to the accused (who must show why they should be released).
“Exceptional circumstances typically involve severe illness, advanced age, or other factors that make detention manifestly unjust,” explained legal analyst Professor Steven Budlender. “Shebeshxt’s legal team is trying to argue that his medical condition qualifies. It’s a difficult argument to win, but not impossible. The court will have to balance the seriousness of the charges against the humanitarian concerns raised by the medical testimony.”
The June 2024 Crash: A Brush with Death
The car crash that left Shebeshxt with his lingering injuries occurred on 22 June 2024, on the R37 road between Polokwane and Lebowakgomo. According to police reports, the musician lost control of his vehicle—a black BMW sedan—at high speed, veered off the road, and rolled multiple times. He was ejected from the vehicle and found by paramedics approximately 20 meters from the wreckage.
Shebeshxt was airlifted to a hospital in Pretoria, where he underwent multiple surgeries and spent three weeks in intensive care. At the time, his management team released a statement saying he was “lucky to be alive” and that his recovery would be “long and difficult.”
The crash was widely covered in the media, with fans and fellow musicians expressing shock and offering prayers. However, the incident also drew criticism, with some pointing to the musician’s history of reckless driving and public boasting about speeding.
“June 2024 should have been a wake-up call,” said road safety activist Sanele Dlamini. “Instead, less than four months after nearly dying, he was allegedly involved in a road rage shooting. That tells you something about his state of mind and his respect for the law.”
The Trial: Set for Mid-May
Regardless of the outcome of the bail hearing, Shebeshxt’s trial on the attempted murder and firearm charges is scheduled to begin in mid-May 2026. The state has indicated that it will call at least 12 witnesses, including the victim, eyewitnesses, forensic experts, and the arresting officers.
The defense has indicated that it may apply for a postponement if Shebeshxt remains in custody, arguing that he is unable to properly assist in his own defense due to his medical condition and limited access to his legal team.
“We cannot prepare for trial if our client is in a cell, unable to meet with us for more than 30 minutes at a time, in pain, and without access to his medical records,” Advocate Mokoena said. “This is not a fair trial. This is a slow motion disaster.”
The state rejected that argument, noting that Shebeshxt has had access to his lawyers throughout his detention and that the trial date was set with input from the defense.
Supporters and Critics React
Outside the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, a small group of Shebeshxt supporters gathered, holding placards reading “Free Shebe” and “Justice with Compassion.” Some wore T-shirts bearing the musician’s image and his stage name.
“He has suffered enough. The car crash almost killed him. Now they want to kill him in prison,” said one young woman who identified herself as a cousin. “Let him go home. Let him heal. Then let the court decide.”
Others, however, were less sympathetic. “He shot at a car with a child inside,” said a Polokwane resident who asked not to be named. “Injuries or no injuries, he belongs in jail. Plenty of people have injuries and don’t try to kill people on the road.”
The victim of the shooting, who has maintained a public silence throughout the proceedings, issued a brief statement through his lawyer: “We respect the court process. We trust that justice will be done. Our focus is on healing.”
What Happens Next?
The bail hearing is expected to continue on Wednesday, with the defense potentially calling additional witnesses, including a psychologist who has assessed Shebeshxt’s mental state. The state is expected to cross-examine Dr. Chaba and may call its own medical expert to rebut his testimony.
If bail is denied, Shebeshxt will remain in custody at the Polokwane Correctional Centre, where he has been held since November 2025. If bail is granted, he is likely to be released on strict conditions, including house arrest at his family home in Mankweng, electronic monitoring, and a ban from driving any vehicle.
Either way, the trial looms. And for Shebeshxt—a young man who once seemed to have the world at his feet, with hit songs, brand deals, and a devoted fan base—the music has stopped. The only sound now is the slow, grinding machinery of the law.
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