The alleged mastermind behind the murder of boxing champion Zolani Tete believed the former world champion was responsible for the shooting that left him paralysed, the State has told the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court.
Prosecutor Thango Pangalele argued that Uzuzole Goqwana allegedly carried out a revenge attack based on a mistaken belief. Goqwana, 22, is wheelchair-bound and is applying for bail together with his co-accused, Sinebhongo Qase, 28.
The two men appeared in court on Wednesday for heads of argument in their bail application. Judgment on the bail bid was postponed to Monday.
Goqwana and Qase are accused in connection with the murder of Tete, who was shot at his home in NU 17, Mdantsane, in the Eastern Cape, on 21 August.
Tete, 38, died after sustaining several gunshot wounds during the attack. His girlfriend, Mbali Mngadi, was injured, while three young children who were inside Tete’s car escaped unharmed.
The case has drawn intense attention in Mdantsane, where Tete was widely known as a successful boxer and former two-time world champion.
State Says Attack Was Revenge
The State alleges that Qase acted as a middleman and organised the men accused of carrying out the shooting.
Siphesihle Kolisa, 28, and Athandwa Gangala, 27, are alleged to have been the hitmen sent to kill Tete.
Kolisa and Gangala abandoned their own bail application when they appeared in court more than a week ago. They are expected to return to court on 13 October.
During the bail arguments, Pangalele said Goqwana did not initially suspect that Tete was behind the shooting that left him paralysed in July 2025.
The prosecutor relied on evidence from investigating officer Warrant Officer Nkululeko Mtati.
“In his evidence, [investigating officer Warrant Officer Nkululeko Mtati] said, initially, [Goqwana] did not suspect the deceased [Tete] was the person behind his shooting that left him paralysed in July 2025.
“But then he further said he later learned that the people of Mdantsane are of the view that the late Zolani Tete was behind his ambush. There could be many reasons why he had a mistaken belief, because [Goqwana] had a romantic affair with the late Tete’s estranged wife [Thulisa].”
Pangalele told the court that there was no evidence showing that Tete was responsible for Goqwana’s shooting.
He accused Goqwana of taking the law into his own hands and seeking revenge for the injuries that left him paraplegic.
The prosecutor described the killing as a “transactional killing” and said the attack was carried out against an innocent man.
Bail Opposed By The State
Pangalele opposed the release of both Goqwana and Qase on bail. He told the court that releasing the accused could lead to disorder in Mdantsane, where residents have been following the case closely.
The State prosecutor said the community was angry about Tete’s death and wanted the matter to be completed.
“The people are following this case with keen interest and want to see it finalised. People are angry at what happened to their boxer.”
The State’s opposition is based on the seriousness of the charges, the public interest in the matter and concerns about what could happen if the accused were released while the case was still before court.
The prosecution has also placed the alleged roles of the accused before the court. Goqwana is described as the alleged mastermind, while Qase is accused of acting as the link between him and the men who allegedly carried out the shooting.
The allegations have not yet been tested at trial.
Lawyer Highlights Goqwana’s Medical Condition
Goqwana’s lawyer, Ayabonga Kampi, argued that the interests of justice allowed his client to be released on bail.
Kampi focused on Goqwana’s condition and the treatment he has received while being held at the West Bank Correctional Centre in KuGompo.
The accused is paraplegic after being shot in July 2025. His lawyer told the court that his medical needs were not being properly met at the correctional centre.
Kampi argued that Goqwana’s medical condition and his role in supporting his minor children amounted to exceptional circumstances that justified bail.
“The self-employment status of the applicant [Goqwana], which enables him to provide for his minor children, is [one of the] exceptional circumstances. When we commenced with this bail application, the court was taken at length as to the history between the applicant and the deceased,” added Kampi.
The court heard that West Bank Correctional Centre did not have a hospital capable of providing round-the-clock medical care to inmates.
The nearest correctional facility with that level of medical support was said to be St Albans Correctional Centre in Gqeberha.
However, Kampi argued that moving Goqwana to St Albans would not be in the interests of justice. He also accused the State of relying on weak arguments to oppose the bail application.
He said West Bank was not suitable for his client because of his condition, while also arguing that the State’s proposed medical solution did not properly address the circumstances before the court.
Qase’s Lawyer Says There Is No Link To Plot
Qase’s lawyer, Asande Pakade, also asked the court to release his client on bail. Pakade argued that Qase had shown through the evidence presented that he was a suitable candidate for bail. The lawyer said there was no evidence that Qase knew about a plan to kill Tete. Pakade said his client had not been linked directly to the alleged murder plot.
“Meanwhile, Asande Pakade, who is representing Qase, told the court his client had proven through evidence that he was the best candidate for bail.”
“Pakade said there was no evidence presented in court that Qase knew of the plot to kill Tete.”
The defence arguments placed the court in a position to consider the alleged roles of each accused separately.
While the State claims that Qase acted as a middleman, his lawyer maintains that the evidence does not show that he knew about or took part in a plan to murder Tete.
Bail Judgment Expected On Monday
Magistrate Anton Pretorious postponed the matter to Monday for judgment.
The court will then decide whether Goqwana and Qase should remain in custody or be released on bail while the murder case continues.
The bail decision will not determine whether either accused is guilty or innocent. That issue will be dealt with during the trial, where the State will be required to present evidence supporting its allegations.
For now, Goqwana remains in custody while his lawyer continues to raise concerns about his medical care. Qase remains accused of helping to organise the alleged hitmen, although his lawyer says there is no evidence that he knew about a murder plot.
The case has placed Tete’s death, Goqwana’s shooting and the alleged revenge motive at the centre of a tense court battle.
As the community waits for the bail judgment, the question before the court is whether the two accused should be released before the full case is heard — while the far bigger question of who ordered and carried out the murder of Zolani Tete remains to be decided at trial.
