Zolani Tete murder-accused Uzuzole Goqwana breaks his silence

by Zintle Mdaka

An affidavit by Uzuzole Goqwana, the 22-year-old accused of masterminding the murder of former two-time world boxing champion Zolani ‘Last Born’ Tete, has been read in court, shedding further light on the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.

Also see: Zolani Tete murder: 2 Suspects seek bail, 2 abandon applications

Uzuzole appeared in the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, where his formal bail application was heard alongside that of co-accused Sinebongo Qase.

According to The Citizen, the State alleges that Uzuzole played a central role in the killing, while Sinebongo is accused of acting as a middleman who allegedly recruited the two men accused of carrying out the shooting. The two alleged hitmen, Siphesihle Kolisa and Athandwa Gangala, have abandoned their bail applications.

Uzuzole Goqwana’s affidavit read in court

During the bail proceedings, Uzuzole’s affidavit was read to the court, providing his account of the case and potentially offering an explanation for the events that led to Zolani’s killing.

The contents of the affidavit have drawn particular attention because of the possible motive behind the shooting.

Previous reports have circulated allegations that the killing may have been linked to a personal feud involving Uzuzole and Zolani. One report alleged that the two had a dispute after Zolani discovered an alleged affair involving his wife and Uzuzole. However, police have not officially confirmed this as the motive for the killing, and it remains an allegation at this stage, reported Full View.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) previously said the State’s case was that the murder was premeditated and therefore fell under Schedule 6 of the Criminal Procedure Act. Prosecutors are opposing bail.

Also see: Gayton McKenzie pledges R100 000 to Zolani Tete’s father

What happened to Zolani Tete?

Zolani, 38, was fatally shot on August 21 in NU17, Mdantsane, while he was in his vehicle waiting for the gate at his home to open.

His 27-year-old female passenger was also shot and wounded in the attack. The attempted murder charge against the accused relates to her.

Zolani was one of South Africa’s most celebrated boxers. He became a two-division world champion and famously recorded an 11-second knockout in a world title fight in Belfast in 2017.

His death sent shockwaves through South Africa’s boxing community, with tributes pouring in from fellow athletes, fans and people who knew him.

State opposes bail

The prosecution has indicated that it will strongly oppose the release of Uzuzole and Sinebongo.

Because the State considers the matter a Schedule 6 offence, the accused face a higher threshold for bail and must demonstrate exceptional circumstances justifying their release.

The prosecution has also previously raised concerns that Uzuzole could interfere with evidence if released, reported IOL.

Uzuzole’s defence has, meanwhile, highlighted his medical condition. He is wheelchair-bound after sustaining a gunshot injury in 2025, and his legal team previously argued that his medical needs should be taken into account during the bail process.

Motive remains under scrutiny

The reading of Uzuzole’s affidavit has put renewed focus on the question of why Zolani was allegedly targeted.

While reports have linked the killing to an alleged personal dispute, the motive has not been officially confirmed by police. The NPA has previously described the killing as premeditated but has not publicly confirmed the alleged affair as the established motive.

As the bail proceedings continue, the court is expected to consider the State’s case against Uzuzole and Sinebongo, as well as the circumstances put forward by their respective defence teams.

Also see: Zolani Tete murder: 3 more suspects taken into custody

Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp channel for content worth tapping into. Click here to join!