Gayton McKenzie mourns former world champion Zolani Tete after murder

South Africa’s former two-time boxing world champion Zolani Tete was shot and killed outside his home in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, on Friday evening. The 38-year-old was reportedly waiting for his residential gate to open when two armed men wearing balaclavas got out of a vehicle and opened fire.

Eastern Cape police said Tete tried to escape by driving into his yard, but he sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. A 27-year-old woman who was in the vehicle with him was also shot several times and remains in hospital.

Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie responded by describing Tete as one of the finest fighters South Africa has produced. He extended his condolences to Tete’s family and the people of Mdantsane, while offering the support of his department in the days ahead.

McKenzie said the killing should be investigated by the South African Police Service and urged anyone with information about the attack to assist detectives. He also appealed for restraint over the circulation of images and unverified details, and asked that the woman’s privacy and that of Tete’s family be respected.

Tete won the IBF junior-bantamweight title in Kobe, Japan, in 2014 before claiming the WBO bantamweight championship. He defended that belt in Belfast and Yekaterinburg, among other venues, and in November 2017 stopped a world title fight after 11 seconds. That remains the fastest finish in a world title fight.

The boxer, known as “Last Born”, was training for a return to the ring and believed he still had more to contribute. McKenzie also highlighted Mdantsane’s boxing heritage, including champions Welcome Ncita and Vuyani Bungu, who trained Tete and was an early inspiration for him. Boxing South Africa and the sports department will consult Tete’s family on how the sport should honour his legacy.