Shebeshxt's Crystal Meth Addiction Revealed During Bail Hearing
POLOKWANE – Lekompo artist Shebeshxt's bail application at the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court took a dramatic turn on Wednesday, with revelations about his alleged crystal meth addiction and the circumstances surrounding his arrest. The artist, who handed himself over to the police following a warrant for his arrest, is accused of shooting and seriously wounding a fan.
Warrant Officer (WO) Phaladi Makola, the investigating officer in the case, presented compelling evidence against granting Shebeshxt bail. Makola testified that at the time of his arrest, Shebeshxt was not only inebriated and holding a beer bottle but also confessed to being addicted to crystal meth.
"When we arrested him, he never told us anything about his medical condition," Makola stated. "When I spoke with him, he told me he can’t quit crystal."
This revelation directly contradicts claims made by Shebeshxt's lawyer, Lot Ramusi, in his affidavit. Ramusi had argued that the artist suffers from an undisclosed medical condition requiring specialised care, including specific foods like broccoli and fresh vegetables. He asserted that Shebeshxt's continued detention would impede his recovery.
Makola questioned the logic of Ramusi's argument. "I was informed by the defence that he eats broccoli and fresh vegetables. When we arrested him, he said that he is addicted to crystal. So, I am surprised that a person who says he has medical problems uses alcohol and addictive drugs," Makola told the court.
Makola further argued that Shebeshxt's incarceration could, in fact, be beneficial. "So, we believe if he remains in custody, it will be a good opportunity for him to be rehabilitated."
The court addressed concerns about Shebeshxt's access to medical facilities within the prison system. The state assured the court that the prison's medical facilities operate around the clock and that, in case of an emergency, it would not be difficult to transport him to a local hospital.
Ramusi also presented an article from TimesLIVE, a sister publication of Sowetan, as evidence. The article claimed that Shebeshxt stands to lose an estimated R2 million due to cancelled gigs following his arrest and subsequent detention.
Makola dismissed these claims as speculative and reminded the court that the victim of the shooting is also suffering financial losses due to his ongoing hospitalisation since the incident on October 19.
“I accept that you are bringing new evidence before the court; as such, I will do likewise and inform the court that the victim in this matter is also running a transportation business, which means he is also losing money," Makola stated. "In that regard, both the accused and victim are even.”
Adding another layer to the complex situation, the court was informed that Shebeshxt's fiancée gave birth on Monday of last week.
The bail application has been adjourned until Thursday, allowing the state to re-examine WO Makola. The court will then have to weigh the arguments presented by both the defence and the prosecution before making a decision on whether to grant Shebeshxt bail. The case continues to draw significant attention, raising questions about the artist's health, his alleged substance abuse, and the potential impact on both his career and the victim of the shooting.
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