Two-time world boxing champion Zolani Tete was shot dead in front of his house in Mdantsane, South Africa, on Friday night. Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana confirmed the shooting occurred at around 6:30pm.
Ambush outside home
According to Gantana, the 38-year-old boxer arrived at his home and was waiting for the gate to open when he and a 27-year-old female passenger were ambushed by two unknown armed suspects wearing balaclavas.
“In an attempt to escape the hail of bullets, the deceased drove his vehicle into the yard,” Gantana said. “He unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased on the scene.
“The female passenger sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. She remains hospitalised.”
Suspects at large
“At this stage, no arrests have been made. The suspects fled the scene and are yet to be apprehended,” Gantana added.
Tete is a former junior bantamweight IBF champion and WBO bantamweight champion. He also holds the record for the fastest knockout in a title fight in boxing, knocking out Siboniso Gonya in 11 seconds of the first round of their fight in 2017.
Return to the ring planned
The 38-year-old, who last fought in 2022, was preparing to make a return to the ring after serving a four-year doping ban. “The last four years have been nothing but hell for me and my family,” Tete told The Herald in July.
“To be denied to do what I love on frivolous circumstances when I know I am innocent is heart-breaking. But as I said, UKAD never brought me to boxing, and they will not take me out of it.”
