Former WBO bantamweight world champion Zolani Tete shot dead in South Africa

Nii Ayitey Brown 16:52 - 23 August 2026

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South African two-time world boxing champion Zolani Tete has been shot dead outside his home in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, at the age of 38.

Two-time world boxing champion Zolani Tete has been shot dead outside his home in Mdantsane, South Africa.
The 38-year-old former champion was attacked by gunmen as he arrived at his residence, according to police.
Tete won world titles at junior-bantamweight and bantamweight and retired with 29 professional victories.

Former two-time world boxing champion Zolani “Last Born” Tete has been shot dead outside his home in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, South Africa, at the age of 38.

According to reports from BBC, Tete was attacked on Friday evening while arriving at his residence. According to police and South Africa’s Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, two masked gunmen opened fire as the boxer waited for his gate to open.

A 27-year-old woman who was with him was also shot several times and taken to hospital. Police have opened an investigation, but no arrests have been reported and the motive behind the shooting remains unknown.

Tete was one of South Africa’s most accomplished boxers. He won the IBF junior-bantamweight world title in 2014 before becoming WBO bantamweight champion in 2017.

He became internationally famous in November 2017 when he knocked out fellow South African Siboniso Gonya in just 11 seconds in Belfast, a record for the fastest stoppage in a world title fight.

Tete finished his professional career with a record of 29 wins, 22 by knockout, 4 defeats and 1 no contest. He had recently completed a four-year anti-doping ban and was preparing for a return to boxing, according to BBC.

His death comes as a surprise to the boxing community in South Africa. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.