Zolani Tete, a former world champion in two boxing weight classes, was fatally shot on Friday evening in his hometown of Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, South Africa. He was 38 years old.
According to reports from South African media, Tete was shot on Friday night at approximately 6:30 p.m. local time. Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, a spokesperson for the Eastern Cape police, confirmed that Tete was ambushed by two unknown suspects wearing balaclavas as he was waiting for his gate to open outside his home. Tete was attempting to escape the gunfire in his vehicle when he succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased at the scene. A 27-year-old female passenger in the vehicle was also present during the attack but details of her condition were not immediately available.
Tete, considered one of Africa’s premier boxers in lighter weight divisions, held world titles at junior bantamweight and bantamweight. He captured his first world title in 2014, defeating Teiru Kinoshita for the IBF Junior Bantamweight Title. He later won the WBO Interim Bantamweight Title in 2017 and was elevated to full champion, successfully defending the title three times before his loss to John Riel Casimero in late 2019.
Tete also participated in the World Boxing Super Series from 2018 to 2019. After winning his quarterfinal bout, he was scheduled to face Nonito Donaire in the semifinals but withdrew due to a shoulder injury. His professional record concluded at 29 wins, 4 losses, with 22 knockouts.
His last fight was on July 2, 2022, where he knocked out Jason Cunningham. However, the result was later overturned to a no contest after Tete tested positive for stanozolol. He received a four-year ban in August 2023, which was set to end on July 29, 2026.
Reports indicated that Tete had been preparing for a return to the ring for a bout scheduled for November 29. He was 38 years old at the time of his death.