Former world champion boxer Zolani Tete has been shot and killed at his home in South Africa, government officials confirmed on Friday. The 38-year-old was ambushed by two armed suspects wearing balaclavas while waiting for the gate to his residence to open in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, according to police reports.
Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie said Tete was killed inside his vehicle. A 27-year-old woman who was in the car with him sustained multiple gunshot wounds and has been hospitalized. Authorities have not released her identity or condition.
Tete, a prominent figure in South African boxing, held the WBF flyweight title from 2007 to 2008 and captured the WBO bantamweight championship in 2017, successfully defending it before losing the belt in 2019. Known for his technical skill and power, he compiled a professional record of 28 wins, 4 losses, and 21 knockouts over a career spanning more than a decade.
The shooting has sent shockwaves through the national boxing fraternity and drawn condolences from across the sporting community. Tete’s death underscores persistent concerns about violent crime in South Africa, where high-profile figures have increasingly become targets in armed robberies and targeted attacks.
Police have opened a murder and attempted murder investigation. No arrests have been announced, and the motive remains unclear. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and appealing for witnesses.
Tete is survived by his family. Memorial arrangements have not yet been disclosed. The boxing world mourns the loss of a fighter who rose from the township gyms of the Eastern Cape to global recognition, only to have his life cut short at his own doorstep.
