The father of former boxing world champion Zolani Tete says he is relieved that the men accused of killing his son have been denied bail, but says he has chosen to forgive them.
Speaking outside the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court, Zolile Tete said he had made peace with his son’s death after Uzuzole Goqwana and Sinebhongo Qase were denied bail.
The two are among four men facing eight charges linked to Tete’s murder. The other two accused, who are alleged to be the hitmen, have already abandoned their bail applications.
Zolile said holding a grudge would not bring his son back.
“I have forgiven all of them and their families. It will never bring Zolani back, but I have made peace with the fact,” he said.
While he welcomed the court’s decision to deny the accused bail, Zolile said he did not want to engage with their families.
“It is still painful and I don’t want to speak to their families, but I’m not fighting with them. There is nothing I can do. I repeat, it will never bring Zolani back,” he said.
Zolile also spoke about the impact of the killing on Tete’s eight-year-old son, who was in the back seat of the vehicle when the former champion was shot outside his home in Mdantsane last month.
He said the boy remains traumatised and is easily startled by loud noises. Three children were in the vehicle when Tete was ambushed.
The murder investigation and legal proceedings against the accused are continuing.