High Court Postpones Shebe Maburna Bail Appeal to June 12

Overview

• The Polokwane High Court hearing was postponed to Friday 12 June so the state can file supplementary heads of argument addressing issues raised in the appeal.
• Lehlogonolo Chauke has been in custody since his arrest in November and has had three previous bail applications refused by magistrates.
• The Regional Court has expanded the indictment to 20 counts that include three counts of attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, theft, and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
• The defence told the high court that new facts justify bail review, citing an urgent need for leg surgery and a complaint about the magistrate’s prior signing of a J50 arrest warrant, while the magistrate had found the medical claim was not supported by correctional-facility records.
• Defence counsel warned that a wrong precedent on re‑opening withdrawn or previously decided matters could disrupt bail practice and the presiding judge also recorded prosecutorial confusion over who filed the initial heads of argument.