Former world champion Zolani Tete fatally shot in Mdantsane

Former world champion Zolani Tete has been shot and killed in Mdantsane at the age of 38. The boxer was attacked by four men while returning from the gym earlier in the evening.

Tete had been preparing to resume his elite boxing career, with a possible return planned for November. That comeback followed a four-year ban, although no further details about the ban were provided.

The Eastern Cape-born fighter became one of South Africa’s leading boxing figures during his career. He held the IBF junior-bantamweight title and later captured the WBO bantamweight championship.

Tete also set a world record in 2017 for the fastest knockout finish, ending his fight after 11 seconds. His achievements made him one of the most prominent boxers to emerge from the Eastern Cape and South Africa.

The shooting is being investigated, with police expected to provide additional information as the case develops. No further details about the circumstances of the attack have been released.

Tete’s death comes as he was attempting to return to elite competition after his period away from boxing. His planned comeback had offered a route back into the sport where he had previously held world titles in two divisions.