Zolani Tete, Former World Boxing Champion, Shot Dead in South Africa

Former world boxing champion Zolani Tete, known as “Last Born,” was shot dead outside his home in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, on Friday, August 21, according to police and South African Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie. The 38-year-old boxer was ambushed while waiting for the gate of his residence to open, with two armed men in balaclavas emerging from a vehicle and opening fire, reports from businessday.ng and gbcghanaonline.com confirm. A 27-year-old woman traveling with Tete was also shot multiple times and hospitalized, though her condition remains undisclosed. No arrests have been made, and authorities have not disclosed the motive for the attack.

The incident occurred around 6:30pm as Tete approached his home. Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana described how Tete attempted to flee the gunfire by driving into his yard before dying on the scene. The suspects fled the area, leaving investigators with no immediate leads. The attack has reignited discussions about violent crime in South Africa, a country with persistently high murder rates despite recent declines in homicides. Government data indicates an average of 58 people were murdered daily in the country during the first four months of 2026, contrasting sharply with international metrics such as the UK recording an average of 1.5 murders per day in 2025.

Tete’s decorated boxing career included two world titles, with the IBF junior-bantamweight crown in 2014 after defeating Japan’s Teiru Kinoshita in Kobe and the WBO bantamweight title in 2017. He became a global boxing figure after stopping fellow South African Siboniso Gonya in just 11 seconds in Belfast in November 2017, a feat that earned him a Guinness World Record for the fastest stoppage in a world title fight. His professional record stood at 29 wins, four losses, and one no-contest across 34 matches, with 22 knockouts, according to gbcghanaonline.com.

Tete’s final fight came in July 2022 when he defeated Britain’s Jason Cunningham at Wembley Arena in London. The result was later overturned after he tested positive for the banned substance stanozolol, resulting in a four-year suspension. The suspension expired on July 29, 2026, and Tete had been working towards a return to boxing. South Africa’s Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie said the former champion believed he still had more to offer his country. “South Africa has lost one of the finest fighters it has ever produced,” McKenzie said.

The murder of the world champion has struck a chord in Mdantsane, the Eastern Cape township that has produced some of South Africa’s most successful boxers. Tributes poured in from sports organizations and political leaders alike. The World Boxing Council published a formal tribute praising the athlete’s remarkable career and offering condolences to his loved ones. Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane’s spokesperson expressed profound shock, calling the act “a brutal act of violence” and urging the public to assist police in the investigation.

Tete’s legacy extends beyond his boxing achievements. His 11-second knockout remains a defining moment in the sport, and his resilience after serving a suspension highlighted his determination. As authorities continue their inquiry, the boxing world mourns the loss of a figure who once symbolized excellence in the ring and inspiration for aspiring athletes in South Africa.