‘It will never bring Zolani back’: Tete’s father reacts as murder accused are denied bail

Mdantsane – Two men accused of playing key roles in the murder of former boxing champion Zolani Tete have been denied bail by the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court in the Eastern Cape. 

Alleged mastermind Uzuzole Goqwana and alleged middleman Sinebhongo Qase appeared before Magistrate Anton Pretorius on Friday, where their bail applications were dismissed. 

The two are among four men facing eight charges linked to Tete’s murder, including murder and attempted murder. 

The other two accused, Siphesihle Kolisa and Athandwa Gangala, who are alleged to have carried out the shooting, have abandoned their bail applications and remain in custody. 

According to The Citizen, Goqwana’s defence had argued that his paraplegic condition, poor health and need for ongoing medical assistance amounted to exceptional circumstances that justified his release on bail. 

However, Pretorius said the circumstances presented by the accused did not meet the legal threshold required for bail. 

“The mere fact that a circumstance is favourable to an accused does not make it exceptional. The circumstance must be unusual, or must exist to an exceptional degree,” Pretorius said. 

[WATCH] The magistrate addresses alleged Zolani Tete murder mastermind Uzozole Goqwana’s paraplegic medical condition in relation to his bail application. Goqwana argued that his severe health limitations and need for complex daily medical assistance constitute “exceptional… pic.twitter.com/qV9M7mMzwV

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 18, 2026

The magistrate also rejected the argument that concerns about medical treatment in custody automatically justified Goqwana’s release. 

“A complaint concerning inadequate medical treatment in custody does not necessarily make release on bail the appropriate remedy,” he said. 

Pretorius noted that St Albans Correctional Centre has a hospital section and said Goqwana had not provided evidence showing that the facility could not adequately meet his medical needs. 

The court also found there was no medical evidence showing that his condition would deteriorate if he remained in custody. 

Pretorius concluded that Goqwana had failed to establish the exceptional circumstances required for bail.  

Tete was shot dead outside his home in NU17, Mdantsane, on 21 August. 

According to Daily Dispatch a 27-year-old woman who was with him was also wounded in the shooting, while three children in the vehicle were not injured.  

The state alleges that Qase acted as an intermediary who connected the alleged hitmen to the plot to kill Tete. 

Goqwana has also been linked to the alleged murder through evidence presented by investigating officer Warrant Officer Nkululeko Mtati. 

[WATCH] Zolani Tete alleged murder mastermind Uzozole Goqwana and alleged middleman Sinebongo Qase are in the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court for the ruling in their bail application. Two other accused abandoned their bail bid. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/DDWRjXRXG9

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 18, 2026

According to the state’s case, Goqwana allegedly believed Tete was responsible for a July 2025 shooting that left him paralysed and using a wheelchair. 

He allegedly believed the shooting was retaliation linked to his alleged relationship with Tete’s estranged wife, Thulisa. 

The allegations against the accused have not been tested at trial. 

Meanwhile, Tete’s father, Zolile Tete, says he is relieved that two men accused of his son’s murder have been denied bail, but has forgiven all those implicated in the killing, eNCA reported.

Speaking outside the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court, Zolile said holding a grudge would not bring his son back. He said: “I have forgiven all of them and their families. It will never bring Zolani back, but I have made peace with the fact.”

Zolile said he did not want contact with the accused men’s families but was not seeking conflict with them.

He also said Tete’s eight-year-old son, who was in the vehicle when the former boxer was shot outside his Mdantsane home last month, remains traumatised and is startled by loud noises.

The four accused are expected to return to court on 13 October. 

Picture: Screengrab

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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi

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