Overview
- Lehlogonolo Chauke is testifying in a Polokwane Magistrate’s Court bail-on-new-facts hearing that challenges the evidence linking him to an alleged Ladanna shooting.
- The defence called ballistic expert Dr Christo de Klerk who said missing documents and data — including a clear ballistic linkage, firearm and ammunition records, X-rays and CCTV — prevented a conclusive analysis of the Ladanna incident.
- During cross-examination Chauke first denied then affirmed an affidavit claim that police were incompetent for not taking a statement from his associate Lehlohonolo 'Ntari' Molapo, with the court replaying tapes to resolve the dispute.
- The state told the court it will oppose bail and intends to call eyewitnesses who say they saw events at the scene, and police seized vehicles after the incident for forensic analysis.
- Chauke was arrested on November 12, 2025, after an alleged October 19, 2025 shooting and faces 21 charges; the hearing remains live and the matter was postponed for re-examination to November 9, 2026.