Former World Champion Boxer Zolani Tete Shot and Killed in South Africa

Former two-weight world boxing champion Zolani “Last Born” Tete has been shot and killed in South Africa at the age of 38, according to South African government officials and police reports.

Tete was killed on Friday evening in Mdantsane, in the Eastern Cape, after he was reportedly ambushed by armed suspects while arriving at his residence. A 27-year-old woman who was travelling with him was also shot several times and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Police have opened a murder investigation, while the circumstances and motive behind the shooting remain under investigation. No motive has been established and authorities have urged caution against speculation while investigators work to determine what happened.

Tete Killed in Home Ambush

According to police accounts, Tete had arrived at his home and was waiting for the entrance gate to open when two armed suspects wearing balaclavas approached in another vehicle and opened fire.

Reports said the boxer attempted to drive into his property to escape the attack but sustained fatal injuries. He was declared dead at the scene.

The shooting reportedly occurred at about 6:30 p.m. on Friday.

South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, confirmed Tete’s death and expressed concern over the killing of the former champion.

The female passenger who was with Tete survived the attack but sustained multiple gunshot wounds and remains in hospital.

Two-Time World Champion

Tete was one of South Africa’s most accomplished boxers and built an international reputation during a professional career spanning more than a decade.

He won the WBF flyweight world title early in his career and later became a world champion at bantamweight.

In 2014, Tete defeated Japan’s Teiru Kinoshita to win the IBF junior-bantamweight world championship. He subsequently moved up in weight and captured the WBO bantamweight title, establishing himself as one of the leading boxers in the lighter weight divisions.

His achievements made him a prominent sporting figure in Mdantsane and across South Africa.

Famous 11-Second Knockout

One of the most memorable moments of Tete’s career came in 2017 when he defeated fellow South African boxer Siboniso Gonya in just 11 seconds.

Tete landed his first punch of the fight and Gonya was unable to continue, producing one of the fastest knockouts in a world-title fight.

The remarkable victory became one of the defining moments of Tete’s career and helped strengthen his international profile.

Tete also successfully defended the WBO bantamweight title before eventually losing the championship to John Riel Casimero in 2019.

Career Record

Tete ended his professional career with a record of 29 victories, including 22 wins by knockout, four defeats and one no contest.

His final professional appearance came in July 2022 against Britain’s Jason Cunningham at Wembley Arena in London.

Although Tete initially won the fight, the result was later changed to a no contest following a positive test for the prohibited substance stanozolol.

He consistently maintained that he had not knowingly taken the banned substance.

The resulting four-year suspension expired in July 2026, paving the way for Tete to explore a return to professional boxing.

Planning a Boxing Comeback

Tete had reportedly been preparing to return to the ring after his suspension ended.

His manager said the former champion had been scheduled to make a comeback on November 29, making his death particularly shocking for supporters who were looking forward to seeing him compete again.

The planned comeback had represented another chapter in a career marked by both major achievements and significant setbacks.

Instead, the former champion’s life was cut short before he could return to competitive boxing.

South African Boxing Mourns

Tete’s death has sent shockwaves through South Africa’s boxing community, particularly in Mdantsane, a township known for producing several prominent boxers.

His achievements at world level made him an important figure in South African sport, while his record-setting knockout remains one of the most memorable moments in modern boxing.

Beyond his sporting achievements, Tete’s death has also renewed concerns about violent crime in South Africa.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, and authorities have not announced any arrests.

Investigation Underway

Police are continuing to investigate the killing and are expected to examine the circumstances leading to the attack, the identity of the suspects and their possible motive.

Authorities have not publicly linked the shooting to any particular individual or organisation.

The investigation is therefore expected to focus on gathering evidence and establishing exactly what happened when Tete arrived at his home.

As tributes continue to emerge, the boxing world is mourning a former champion whose career included world titles, memorable victories and a record-setting knockout.

Zolani Tete’s death at 38 brings a tragic end to the life of a boxer who had hoped to return to the ring and continue his sporting journey.

For now, his family, fans and the South African boxing community are left to remember the fighter known as “Last Born”, while police continue their investigation into his killing.

This report is based on information from South African authorities and reports by Reuters, Associated Press and local South African media. The motive for the shooting has not been established, and allegations concerning the perpetrators remain subject to police investigation.