The 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.

The decision, handed down on Friday, 18 September 2026, means 22-year-old Uzuzole “Uzo” Goqwana, who the State alleges is the mastermind behind the killing, and 28-year-old Sinebongo Qase, who is accused of acting as a middleman, will remain in custody.

The State opposed their release, arguing that Tete’s killing was a carefully planned assassination.

Tete, 38, who was known in boxing circles as “Last Born”, was shot dead outside his home in NU17, Mdantsane, on 21 August 2026.

According to the State’s case, Tete was waiting for his gate to open when masked gunmen approached his vehicle and opened fire. He reportedly attempted to drive into his yard but was fatally wounded in the attack.

His 27-year-old girlfriend, who was travelling with him, survived but sustained serious injuries.

Prosecutors allege that a personal dispute was behind the murder. According to evidence presented in court, Goqwana allegedly claimed that Tete had threatened him after discovering an alleged relationship between Goqwana and the boxer’s estranged wife.

The State further alleges that Goqwana arranged a R100,000 payment for Tete’s killing and recruited Qase to act as an intermediary in securing the alleged hitmen.

Goqwana’s legal team argued during the bail proceedings that his medical circumstances should be considered as an exceptional circumstance. He is paraplegic and uses a wheelchair following a previous shooting, and has been held under medical supervision at the West Bank Correctional Centre.

The State, however, presented additional forensic evidence in opposing bail.

A ballistics report linking firearms recovered during the investigation to the crime scene was submitted to the court. The defence objected to the admission of the report, reportedly arguing that it had been introduced late in the proceedings. The magistrate nevertheless admitted the evidence.

The State also relied on evidence concerning an alleged partial payment of R60,000 to the alleged shooters, as well as alleged statements attributed to the accused about their respective roles in the killing.

The prosecution argued that the evidence supported its case and raised concerns about the accused potentially fleeing or posing a danger to the public if released.

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

The other two accused, 28-year-old Siphesihle Kolisa and 27-year-old Athandwa Gangala, are alleged to have been directly involved in the shooting. Both abandoned their bail applications earlier in the proceedings and remain in custody.

Police are also reportedly searching for a fifth suspect who is believed to have been involved as the alleged getaway driver.

The case has attracted significant public attention, with large crowds gathering outside the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court during the bail proceedings.

Tete’s death sent shockwaves through South Africa’s boxing community. The former two-division world champion built an international career in the ring and was regarded as one of the country’s prominent boxing figures. The accused remain innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

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