South African boxing is mourning former two-division world champion Zolani “Last Born” Tete, who was fatally shot outside his home in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape.
Tete, 38, was reportedly attacked on Friday, August 21, after arriving at his residence.
According to multiple international media reports, including BBC and Sky News, police said two armed men wearing balaclavas emerged from a vehicle and opened fire on Tete and a 27-year-old woman who was travelling with him.
Tete attempted to drive into his yard to escape the attackers but sustained fatal gunshot wounds and died at the scene. The woman was also shot multiple times and rushed to hospital, where she remains under medical care.
Police have launched investigations into the killing, but no arrests have been made. The motive remains unknown.
Tete won the WBF flyweight title in 2007 before claiming the IBF junior-bantamweight world title in 2014. In 2017, he won the WBO bantamweight title and became a global boxing sensation after recording the fastest knockout in world-title boxing history.
He stopped fellow South African Siboniso Gonya in just 11 seconds during their WBO bantamweight title fight in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Tete successfully defended the WBO title before losing it in 2019, cementing his place among South Africa’s notable boxing champions.
The former champion had been preparing to return to professional boxing after serving a four-year suspension, with his manager saying he was expected to make his comeback later this year.
Tributes have since poured in, with South African Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie mourning Tete and calling for those responsible to be brought to justice.
Tete’s manager, Mlandeli Tengimfene, also expressed grief over the loss, saying the boxer had been preparing to revive his career.
“Zolani is gone at a time we thought he was going to resuscitate his career,” he told the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
Police investigations are ongoing as authorities work to identify the suspects and establish the motive for the shooting.