By Edwin Mbewe
EASTERN CAPE-(MaraviPost)-Former world champion boxer Zolani “Last Born” Tete has been shot and killed outside his home in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, South Africa, at the age of 38.
Reuters and SABC News have reported that Tete was ambushed by armed men on Friday 21st August 2026 evening as he arrived at his residence and waited for the gate to open. Police said two suspects wearing balaclavas opened fire on the boxer.
A 27-year-old woman who was travelling with Tete was also shot multiple times and remains in hospital. The motive for the attack has not yet been established.
South Africa’s Sports, Arts and Culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie, confirmed Tete’s death and paid tribute to the former champion.
SABC News later reported that two people of interest had been apprehended by police in connection with the murder.
A decorated boxing career
Tete was one of South Africa’s most accomplished boxers, winning world titles in two weight divisions.
He held the WBF flyweight title from 2007 to 2008 and later captured the IBF junior-bantamweight world title in 2014 after defeating Japan’s Teiru Kinoshita on points.
He went on to win the WBO bantamweight world title, establishing himself as one of the leading fighters in the lower weight divisions.
Tete made boxing history in 2017 when he knocked out fellow South African Siboniso Gonya with his first punch, just 11 seconds into their world-title fight.
The victory remains the fastest knockout in a world-title fight.
He finished his professional career with 29 victories, including 22 knockouts, four defeats and one no contest.
His final appearance came in July 2022 at Wembley Arena in London, where he defeated Britain’s Jason Cunningham.
The result was subsequently overturned following a positive test for stanozolol, resulting in a four-year suspension.
Tete consistently denied knowingly taking the banned substance.
His suspension expired in July 2026, and he had been preparing for a return to the ring.
Shock across South African boxing
Tete’s death has sent shockwaves through South Africa’s boxing community, particularly in Mdantsane, a township renowned for producing some of the country’s finest fighters.
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane described the killing as a senseless act and paid tribute to Tete as one of the province’s sporting heroes.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation as police work to establish the motive and identify those responsible.
Tete leaves behind a legacy as a two-time world champion and one of South Africa’s most accomplished boxers, remembered especially for his devastating knockout power and record-setting 11-second world-title victory.
