Controversial South African musician Lehlogonolo Katlego Chauke, known globally as Shebeshxt, has been arrested. The arrest is directly linked to a serious incident last month where a motorist was shot in Polokwane. The ‘Lekompo’ hitmaker was apprehended at his Bendor residence, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing investigation.
The altercation that sparked the legal firestorm is said to have begun at a petrol station on 19 October. A source close to the investigation suggested the dispute escalated rapidly, culminating in the shooting. The victim, whose identity remains protected, was reportedly shot in the stomach. Following the incident, Chauke had initially presented himself to authorities and was granted bail, a move that left the victim’s family reeling. A family spokesperson stated,
“We have been praying for this day. We need to see real justice served for what was done to our brother. The pain has been immense.”
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A Career in the Balance as the Festive Season Looms
This latest development poses a severe threat to Shebeshxt’s flourishing career, striking at the worst possible time. The lucrative festive season is a peak period for performances, and the artist had a fully booked schedule ahead of him. Industry insiders suggest that promoters are now scrambling to find replacements, with one anonymous booker commenting,
“It’s a disaster for his brand. These gigs were set to earn him a fortune, potentially millions of Rands (US$ tens of thousands). When an artist is unavailable for reasons like this, it creates a massive void and contractual nightmares.”
As the news spreads, the court of public opinion is in full session, yet an official statement from the South African Police Service is still pending.
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The lack of an official communiqué has done little to quell the speculation surrounding the case and the potential for a lengthy prison sentence should a conviction be secured. Shebeshxt’s legal team has not yet made a public comment on the re-arrest. For now, the musician remains behind bars, his future hanging in the balance as the judicial process begins anew.