Zolani Tete Murdered; the Former World Champion Was 38 Years Old
The boxing world is mourning the passing of Zolani Tete, the former IBF bantamweight and WBO super flyweight world champion. The South African, who competed from 2006 to 2022, was shot and killed in his car while in Mdantsane; a woman who was with him is currently hospitalized.
“South Africa has lost one of the greatest boxers it has ever produced. Zolani ‘Last Born’ Tete was shot and killed near his home at the age of 38,” Minister Gayton McKenzie wrote in an official statement. A 27-year-old woman who was in the car with him was struck by several bullets and is now hospitalized. I wish her a speedy recovery and ask that her privacy and that of her loved ones be respected.”
“I would like to address, first and foremost, Zolani’s family and the entire Mdantsane community. There are no words that can ease the immense pain of your loss. Your son’s name will always be honored by this nation; my Ministry and I remain at your complete disposal for any needs you may have in the days ahead. He was shot while sitting in his car in front of his home’s gate, waiting for it to open: that is where his attackers ambushed him.”
“I do not intend to speculate on who is responsible or on the motive behind this act. The investigation is in the hands of the South African Police, and the investigators working on the case need our full support. Two armed men, their faces covered by balaclavas, got out of a car and murdered one of our greatest champions right outside his front door before fleeing the scene. I appeal to anyone who saw, heard, or knows anything: please come forward,” Minister McKenzie concluded.
Zolani Tete was the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight world champion from 2014 to 2015 and the World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight world champion from 2017 to 2019. He also holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest knockout in a title fight in boxing history, having knocked out Siboniso Gonya in eleven seconds of the first round.
