Former World Champion Zolani Tete Shot Dead Outside His Home in South Africa
Former two-time world boxing champion Zolani “Last Born” Tete has been shot dead outside his home in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Tete was 38 years old. Police and South Africa’s Sports Minister confirmed his death following the shooting on Friday, August 21.
Tete was reportedly arriving at his residence and waiting for the gate to open when two armed men wearing balaclavas approached and opened fire.
A 27-year-old woman who was travelling with him was also shot multiple times and taken to hospital. She remains under medical care.
𝗧𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗵
According to police, the attackers emerged from a vehicle and opened fire on Tete and his female passenger.
Tete attempted to escape by driving into his residential property but suffered fatal injuries and was declared dead at the scene.
The suspects fled the area and no arrests had been reported. The motive for the attack remains unknown as investigations continue.
𝗔 𝗧𝘄𝗼-𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻
Tete enjoyed a distinguished professional boxing career.
He won the IBF junior-bantamweight world title in 2014 before becoming WBO bantamweight world champion in 2017.
He successfully defended his WBO title and became one of South Africa’s most respected fighters.
𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝟭𝟭-𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗼𝘂𝘁
Tete became internationally famous in 2017 after producing one of boxing’s most extraordinary knockouts.
He stopped fellow South African Siboniso Gonya in just 11 seconds in Belfast.
The victory remains recognised as the fastest stoppage in a world title fight.
𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁
Tete had been preparing for a return to professional boxing.
His four-year suspension following a 2022 doping violation expired in July 2026, and reports said he was planning to return to the ring later this year.
His comeback plans have now been tragically cut short.
𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻
South Africa’s Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie expressed grief over Tete’s death and described him as one of the finest fighters produced by the country.
Tete’s death has also deeply affected Mdantsane, a township known for producing several prominent South African boxers.
𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝘀
Police have opened a murder investigation and are working to establish the circumstances behind the attack.
The identity of the attackers and the motive remain unclear.
Authorities are continuing to gather information and search for those responsible.
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁
Zolani “Last Born” Tete’s death has shocked the boxing world and South Africa.
The former two-time world champion was killed at just 38, weeks after his boxing suspension ended and as he prepared for a comeback.
His legacy includes two world titles and the remarkable 11-second knockout that made him a global boxing name.
A champion’s comeback dream has ended in tragedy.
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