Former World Champion Boxer Zolani Tete Shot Dead Outside His Home in South Africa
Former world boxing champion Zolani Tete has been shot dead outside his home in South Africa. He was 38 years old.
The South African boxer was reportedly attacked in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, while returning home.
Boxer Attacked Outside His Home
According to police, Tete was waiting for the gate of his residence to open when two armed men wearing balaclavas reportedly got out of a vehicle and opened fire.
Tete was seriously injured in the shooting and died in the attack.
A 27-year-old woman who was travelling with him was also reportedly shot several times. She was taken to a hospital for treatment.
South Africa’s Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie confirmed Tete’s death and expressed his sadness over the incident.
McKenzie said he would not speculate about who was behind the attack or the reason for it.
Police have opened an investigation into the killing, but the motive remains unknown.
Tete Was a Two-Time World Champion
Tete, who was popularly known as “Last Born,” was one of South Africa’s notable professional boxers.
He won world titles in two different weight divisions during his career.
One of the biggest moments of his career came in November 2017, when he knocked out fellow South African boxer Siboniso Gonya in just 11 seconds during a world title fight in Belfast.
The knockout became widely recognised as the fastest stoppage in a world title fight.
At the time, Tete was defending his WBO bantamweight title, which he had won earlier in 2017.
He held the WBO belt until 2019.
Tete’s Early World Title Success
Tete had already become a world champion before winning the WBO bantamweight title.
In 2014, he defeated Japan’s Teiru Kinoshita in Kobe to win the IBF junior-bantamweight title.
Earlier in his career, he had also held the minor WBF flyweight title.
His success made him one of South Africa’s respected boxers and helped establish him on the international boxing scene.
He Was Planning a Boxing Comeback
Tete’s death comes shortly after the end of a four-year suspension from boxing.
He had been banned after testing positive for the banned anabolic steroid stanozolol following his 2022 fight against Jason Cunningham.
His suspension officially ended on July 29, 2026.
Reports said the former champion had been preparing to return to professional boxing after completing his ban.
However, his planned comeback was tragically cut short by the shooting.
Police Investigation Underway
Authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding Tete’s death.
Police have not yet established the motive for the attack or identified the people responsible.
The shooting has shocked South Africa’s boxing community, with fans and fellow sports personalities mourning the former world champion.
Tete’s death marks a tragic end to the life of a boxer who achieved major success on the international stage and was particularly remembered for one of the fastest knockouts in world championship boxing history.
