MDANTSANE, EASTERN CAPE: Former two-division world boxing champion Zolani “Last Born” Tete, 38, has been shot dead outside his home in Mdantsane in a shocking evening ambush.
The South African boxing star was reportedly attacked by masked gunmen as he waited for his residential gate to open.
Tete, 38, was reportedly arriving at his residence on Friday evening, August 21, when two masked gunmen allegedly emerged from another vehicle and opened fire as he waited for his residential gate to open.
The former world champion tried to escape the attack by driving into his yard, but suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.
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A 27-year-old woman who was travelling with Tete was also shot multiple times. She was rushed to hospital, where she is receiving medical treatment.
Police have opened an investigation into the killing. No arrests have been reported, and the motive for the shooting remains unknown.
Tete’s death comes just weeks after the expiration of a four-year doping suspension, as the veteran boxer was preparing for a return to the ring.
His comeback was expected to mark a new chapter in a career that had already produced some of the most memorable moments in South African boxing.
Known by his nickname “Last Born,” Tete became a world champion in two weight divisions, holding the IBF junior-bantamweightand WBO bantamweight titles.
He also captured the WBF flyweight title during his professional career.
Tete secured his place in boxing history in 2017 when he faced fellow South African Siboniso Gonya in a world-title fight.
Tete dropped Gonya with the opening exchange, producing what was recognised as the fastest knockout in a world-title fight.
That stunning performance became the defining highlight of a career that took the Eastern Cape-born fighter onto the world stage.
Authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting, including the identity and motive of the attackers.
The fact that Tete was reportedly ambushed outside his own home has intensified concern surrounding the circumstances of the killing.
As investigators begin piecing together the events of Friday night, South African boxing is left mourning a champion whose planned return to the ring will now never happen.
