- On Tuesday, 7 April 2026, Lekompo musician Fuego was shot and killed during a dispute over a woman
- The suspects appeared in court on Thursday, 9 April and were remanded in custody for eight days
- The Limpopo police spokesperson revealed how the two suspects were arrested and charged with the murder of Fuego
Two individuals, identified as the suspects in the shooting death of Lekompo artist Adifele Lastborn Maimela (26), better known as Fuego (Baswele Mfana), appeared in court and will remain incarcerated for an initial period of eight days.
Fuego lost his life on Tuesday, 7 April 2026, in Polokwane after a conflict arose involving Masheleng July Mashishi, the primary suspect, along with Karabo Kgoroshi Lucas Mothiba.
Lekompo musician’s alleged shooters to spend 8 days in jail
On Thursday, 9 April 2026, Mashishi and Mothiba were taken into custody during their arraignment at the Polokwane Magistrates Court, facing murder charges. They are slated to return to court on Thursday, 16 April for a hearing regarding bail.
Supporters of Fuego, including his producer Lepaka and Mphoza Mashabela, chairman of the Limpopo Artists Movement (LAM), attended the court session during which bail was denied to the two accused.
In comments made to the Daily Sun, Mashabela expressed satisfaction with the legal outcome.
“It’s such a relief that the two suspects did not get bail. We really welcome the decision by the court to deny them bail,” he said.
Mashabela also informed the publication that the Limpopo Artists Movement had visited Fuego’s family on Wednesday, 8 April to offer support for funeral arrangements, similar to assistance provided for Molimisi ‘Dr Nel’ Baaitsi.
He urged Limpopo musicians to come out in large numbers for Fuego’s funeral and court proceedings to demonstrate their solidarity with the grieving family. He emphasized their desire to convey a strong message to the Polokwane Magistrates Court against granting bail for the suspects.
How were Fuego’s alleged murderers arrested?
As reported by Daily Sun, the arrest of Mashishi and Mothiba occurred when they arrived at the Polokwane Police Station, claiming they had fired shots at individuals they accused of kidnapping a woman.
While they were reporting the incident, authorities received a call from a local hospital alerting them that a patient with a gunshot wound had been admitted. They advised police that anyone associated with that shooting was to be arrested.
Consequently, Mashishi and Mothiba were taken into custody at the Polokwane Police Station’s holding cells.
According to Limpopo police spokesperson Malesela Ledwaba, Mashishi and Kgoroshi went to the residence of Fuego on Magazyn Street in Polokwane, where Fuego was with his girlfriend, who was reportedly acquainted with both suspects.
An altercation reportedly erupted between the musician and the accused, which escalated further when others joined in.
During this disturbance, one suspect, believed to be Mashishi, allegedly brandished a firearm and discharged it, injuring Fuego.
Ledwaba stated that after the shooting, Mashishi purportedly solicited the help of his friends to transport Fuego to the closest hospital in his vehicle.
