Gunmen Attack Claims Life of Former Boxing Champion Zolani Tete in South Africa

The boxing world is mourning the tragic death of South African former world champion, Zolani Tete, who was reportedly gunned down outside his residence in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape. Police accounts state that Tete was waiting for his gate to open when two armed individuals, whose faces were concealed by balaclavas, emerged from a vehicle and opened fire.

Accompanying the boxer at the time was a 27-year-old woman, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds and has since been hospitalized. South Africa's Minister for Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, confirmed Tete's passing on Friday, though he refrained from speculating on the perpetrators or their motives. McKenzie stated, "I will not speculate about who did this or why." Authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident, but the reason behind the attack remains unclear.

Tete, affectionately known as "Last Born" in the boxing community, is widely celebrated for his historic 11-second knockout of fellow South African Siboniso Gonya in Belfast back in November 2017. This swift victory stands as the fastest stoppage ever recorded in a world title fight and occurred during his successful defense of the WBO bantamweight crown, which he initially secured that same year and held until 2019.

His illustrious career also saw the southpaw clinch the IBF junior-bantamweight world championship in 2014, defeating Japan's Teiru Kinoshita in Kobe. Earlier in his professional journey, he had also held the minor WBF flyweight title.

The untimely death of the boxing star comes just weeks after the conclusion of a four-year ban he received. The suspension was imposed after he tested positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol following his 2022 bout with Jason Cunningham. With his ban officially lifting on July 29, Tete had reportedly been making plans for a highly anticipated return to the boxing ring.