Popular Limpopo lekompo artist Lehlogonolo “Shebe Maburna” Chauke has returned to the High Court in Polokwane in another attempt to secure his release on bail while awaiting trial. The musician’s latest application is based on what his legal team describes as new evidence that was not previously presented before the courts.
Shebe Maburna has remained behind bars since November 2025 after his earlier bail applications were rejected by both the magistrate’s court and the High Court. His legal representatives now hope that the newly introduced evidence will persuade the court to reconsider its previous decisions.
The musician is currently facing trial in the regional court on a series of serious criminal charges. These include attempted murder, assault, culpable homicide, as well as reckless and negligent driving. Although prosecutors initially charged him with the illegal possession of a firearm, that particular charge has since been withdrawn by the State.
Despite the withdrawal of the firearm-related charge, Shebe Maburna still faces a total of 21 charges linked to the case. The matter has attracted widespread public attention due to the singer’s popularity in the lekompo music industry and the seriousness of the allegations against him.
Leading the latest bail application is Advocate Laurence Hodes, who has been appointed to represent the musician during the proceedings. Hodes is working alongside junior counsel Advocate Peter Mashala as they prepare arguments aimed at convincing the court that Shebe Maburna should be released pending the outcome of his trial.
Before the hearing could proceed in full, Shebe Maburna’s attorney, Michael Khumalo, requested that the court grant Advocate Hodes additional time to study the extensive case documents. Khumalo argued that sufficient preparation is essential to ensure the legal team can effectively present the fresh evidence before the court.
The new bail application comes just weeks after the musician’s pre-trial hearing was postponed to September 2026. His legal team continues to maintain that there are valid grounds for the court to reconsider his detention, while the prosecution is expected to oppose the application.
Supporters of the musician have closely followed every court appearance since his arrest, with many expressing hope that he will eventually be granted bail. Others, however, believe the court should continue to prioritise the seriousness of the charges when deciding whether he should remain in custody.
The High Court’s decision on the latest application could play a significant role in determining whether Shebe Maburna will remain behind bars until his trial begins or be released under strict bail conditions.
For now, the proceedings continue as both the defence and the prosecution prepare to present their arguments before the court. The outcome of this latest bail bid is expected to be closely watched by fans, legal observers, and members of the public, as it marks another important chapter in one of South Africa’s most closely followed legal cases involving a prominent musician.
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