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South Africa’s two-time world boxing champion Zolani Tete is dead after being ambushed in his hometown while returning home from the gym.
According to journalist Velile Mnyandu of SABC Sport in South Africa, Tete was shot and killed in front of his home in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
The shooting happened at around 6:30 p.m. local time, according to the Eastern Cape police. Two armed suspects reportedly ambushed Tete and a 27-year-old female passenger. The suspects have not been identified at this time.
“In an attempt to escape the hail of bullets, the deceased drove his vehicle into the yard. He unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased on the scene,” Eastern Cape Police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said.
Tete is the Guinness World Record holder for Fastest World Title Knockout (11 seconds) for his WBO bantamweight title win over Siboniso Gonya on November 18, 2017. Tete clocked Gonya with a right hook and immediately ended the fight.
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Tete, who held a professional record of 29-4 with 22 knockouts, was a world champion at junior bantamweight and later bantamweight. Tete had just completed a four-year ban after testing positive for stanozolol in 2022 and was preparing for a return to the ring on Sunday, November 29.
“The World Boxing Association mourns the tragic passing of former two-division world champion Zolani Tete,” the WBA wrote in a statement. “Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, team, and the entire boxing community in South Africa and around the world. Rest in peace.”
DAZN Boxing added, “Rest in peace, Zolani Tete. The boxing world is mourning the loss of a true champion. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and everyone who loved him during this incredibly difficult time.”
