Uzuzole Goqwana and Sinebhongo Qase denied bail in Zolani Tete murder case

by Zintle Mdaka

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

Also see: Zolani Tete murder: State opposes Uzuzole Goqwana’s bail over alleged witness interference

According to The Citizen, Uzuzole Goqwana, 22, who the State alleges was the mastermind behind the killing, and Sinebhongo Qase, 28, who is accused of acting as an intermediary, appeared in court on Friday, 18 September 2026, for judgment in their respective bail applications.

Court rejects bail applications

Magistrate Anton Pretorius ruled that Uzuzole and Sinebhongo had failed to establish the exceptional circumstances required for their release on bail.

The matter is being treated as a Schedule 6 case, meaning the accused face serious charges and must satisfy a higher legal threshold to secure bail. The court found that releasing the two men would not be in the interests of justice, reported Daily Dispatch.

Uzuzole’s defence raised his medical condition as part of his bail application. According to the judgment reported by The Citizen, the court heard that he is paraplegic, with his legal team arguing that his medical needs made his continued detention problematic.

However, Pretorius said the defence had not placed sufficient evidence before the court to establish that the correctional system could not adequately address Uzuzole’s medical needs. The court therefore found that his circumstances did not meet the required threshold for bail.

4 Men face charges

Uzuzole and Sinebhongo are among four accused facing eight charges connected to Zolani’s killing and the attempted murder of a woman who was with him during the shooting.

The other two accused, Siphesihle Kolisa, 28, and Athandwa Gangala, 27, are alleged to have carried out the shooting. They have already abandoned their bail applications and remain in custody.

The National Prosecuting Authority previously said the State alleges that the murder was premeditated and falls under Schedule 6 of the Criminal Procedure Act.

Also see: Zolani Tete murder-accused Uzuzole Goqwana breaks his silence

Alleged roles in Zolani Tete’s murder

According to the State’s case presented during the bail proceedings, Sinebhongo allegedly acted as a middleman who connected the suspected hitmen to the alleged plot.

Uzuzole is accused of being the alleged mastermind. Investigating officer Warrant Officer Nkululeko Mtati previously told the court that investigators linked Uzuzole to the alleged plot and that he allegedly believed Zolani was responsible for a 2025 shooting that left him paralysed. These are allegations presented in court and have not been tested at trial.

Zolani was fatally shot outside his home in NU17, Mdantsane, on 21 August 2026. A 27-year-old woman was also wounded in the attack, while three children who were in the vehicle were not injured.

Zolani Tete’s family reacts

Following Friday’s bail ruling, Zolani’s father, Zolile Tete, said he was relieved by the court’s decision but also spoke about forgiveness.

He said holding a grudge would not bring his son back and that he had forgiven the accused and their families. He also said the death remained painful for the family.

The four accused are expected to return to court on 13 October 2026 as the murder case continues.

Also see: Zolani Tete honoured with special provincial funeral as family gives thanks

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