South Africa’s former two-time world boxing champion Zolani “Last Born” Tete has been shot dead in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, with the killing currently under investigation by the police without any arrests made yet.
The South African boxing scene has seen one of its most talented boxers mourned following the shooting death of Zolani Tete, aged 38, who was shot in his home in Mdantsane on Friday, August 21.
It is alleged that Tete had just arrived at his residence and was waiting for his gate to be opened when two masked gunmen emerged from a car and shot him. A 27-year-old lady accompanying him was also shot multiple times and rushed to hospital.
Tete died on the spot. A murder inquiry has begun by the authorities, who have called on members of the public to cooperate and offer information which may assist in identifying the culprits. At the time of writing, no arrest has been made yet.
Zolani Tete Was Ambushed in His Compound
Tete was shot at in Mdantsane in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, a place which has produced quite several famous boxers in the country.
As per news reports, Tete was in his car when the attackers surrounded him. Wearing balaclavas, the attackers shot him and then fled from the location. However, Tete succeeded in driving to his compound, where he eventually died.
It is reported that there was a woman in the car who survived the shooting.
Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, the spokesman for the Eastern Cape police, stated that the investigation was ongoing; however, any rumors of arrests need to be verified before anything can be said.
The shooting has raised fears regarding the issue of violent crime in South Africa, which has one of the highest murder rates in the world.
Zolani Tete’s Boxing Career and World Titles
The boxer built a distinguished professional career in different weight categories.
In 2014, Tete became the IBF junior-bantamweight world champion after beating Japan’s Teiru Kinoshita in Kobe. In 2017, he earned the WBO bantamweight world title, becoming one of the most prominent boxers in South Africa.
It was in 2017 that the boxer became especially famous as he stopped his compatriot Siboniso Gonya in Belfast in just 11 seconds. It was the quickest knockout in a world title fight in the history of boxing.
Moreover, Zolani Tete had several bouts in the United Kingdom; notably, the 2015 win over Liverpool’s Paul Butler.
In total, Tete had 29 wins, of which 22 were knockouts, four losses, and one bout classified as no contest in his professional career.
Tete Was Preparing for a Boxing Comeback
The former world champion died shortly after completing a four-year suspension preventing him from participating in professional bouts.
Tete was suspended for testing positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol in the fight against Britain’s Jason Cunningham in 2022. His suspension expired on July 29, 2026.
According to his manager, Mlandeli Tengimfene, Tete was working hard to come back to the ring, and he was scheduled to return with a comeback fight in the coming months of the year.
Such a scenario made the tragedy even more devastating to the boxing community of South Africa.
Boxing World Mourns Zolani Tete
Condolences have been pouring out after the boxer’s untimely death.
Gayton McKenzie, the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture in South Africa, described Tete as one of the best boxers that the nation had ever produced and sent condolences to Tete’s family.
Naoya Inoue, a Japanese boxing legend, has also paid homage to the fallen boxer, saying that Tete was a “wonderful boxer” and prayed for his family.
John Riel Casimero, the 2019 world champion in the bantamweight class, who beat Tete to win the title, also expressed shock and sadness over Tete’s passing.
Police Investigation into the Murder of Tete Ongoing
A motive for the murder has not been established by authorities.
The police have called on people who have any information regarding the shooting to step forward but also cautioned the general public against disseminating any rumors regarding the investigation.
In light of the lack of arrests, many important questions regarding the assault remain to be answered, such as who gave the order or committed the crime and why Tete was a target.
At present, investigators are still probing the incident as South African boxing fans remember the two-time world champion whose career was cut short.
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