Zolani Tete murder: Two accused denied bail, remain behind bars

Two men accused of involvement in the murder of former boxing world champion Zolani Tete will remain behind bars after the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court denied them bail on Friday.

The State alleges that Uzuzole Goqwana, 22, masterminded the killing, while Sinebhongo Qase, 28, acted as a middleman.

Magistrate Anton Pretorius found that the pair had failed to show exceptional circumstances that justified their release and ruled that bail would not be in the interests of justice.

COURT REJECTS MEDICAL ARGUMENT

Goqwana, who is paraplegic, relied heavily on his medical condition during his bail application.

His defence argued that his health needs and the daily assistance he requires amounted to exceptional circumstances.

Pretorius rejected the argument.

The court heard that although one correctional facility could not adequately accommodate Goqwana’s needs, St Albans Correctional Centre has a hospital section.

Pretorius said Goqwana had failed to provide evidence showing that the facility could not give him the treatment he requires.

BALLISTICS EVIDENCE LINKS GUNS TO SHOOTING

The bail ruling followed the State’s introduction of new ballistics evidence earlier this week.

Prosecutors told the court that ballistic tests had linked two firearms recovered during the arrests of alleged gunmen Siphesihle Kolisa and Athandwa Gangala to Tete’s shooting.

The defence objected to the State introducing the report after closing its case, but Pretorius allowed the evidence.

Investigators are also searching for another firearm believed to have been used in the attack.

TETE KILLED OUTSIDE HIS HOME

Gunmen shot Tete outside his home in NU17, Mdantsane, on 21 August 2026.

A 27-year-old woman who was with him suffered serious injuries, while three children inside the vehicle escaped unharmed.

The State alleges that the accused planned the killing.

Goqwana and Qase are among four men facing charges linked to Tete’s murder.

Kolisa and Gangala, who allegedly carried out the shooting, previously abandoned their bail applications.

All four accused remain in custody and are expected back in the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court on 13 October 2026.