Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Former Two-Time World Champion Boxer Zolani Tete Shot Dead
Zolani Tete was a famous boxer from South Africa.
He won world boxing titles during his career.
Police said two masked, armed people attacked him near his home.
Tete was waiting in his car for the gate to open.
He was shot and died at age 38.
A 27-year-old woman with him was also shot and taken to a hospital.
Police had not announced any arrests or a reason for the attack.
Tete was reportedly preparing to fight again.
Former world champion boxer Zolani “Last Born” Tete was shot and killed in Mdantsane, South Africa, at age 38.
Police said two armed suspects wearing balaclavas ambushed Tete as he waited for his residence gate to open.
A 27-year-old woman in Tete’s vehicle was shot multiple times and remains hospitalized.
The shooting is under investigation, and police had reported no arrests or established motive as of Saturday.
Accounts cite Tete’s titles in the World Boxing Federation, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organization, and say he was preparing to return to boxing.
- Who
- Former world champion boxer Zolani Tete was killed; a 27-year-old woman with him was also shot.
- What
- Tete was shot and killed, while the woman was shot multiple times and hospitalized.
- When
- The shooting occurred on Friday evening; no specific calendar date was provided.
- Where
- Near Tete’s residence in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
- Why
- Police have not established a motive; they said two armed suspects ambushed Tete.
- Victim
- Zolani “Last Born” Tete, a 38-year-old former world champion boxer
- Location
- Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Suspects
- Two armed men wearing balaclavas, according to police
- Additional victim
- A 27-year-old woman in Tete’s vehicle
- Medical status
- The woman was shot multiple times and remains in hospital
- Investigation
- No arrests had been reported and police had not established a motive as of Saturday
- Boxing record cited
- Reports mention World Boxing Federation flyweight belts from 2007–2008, an International Boxing Federation junior-bantamweight title in 2014, and the World Boxing Organization bantamweight title in 2017 and 2019
