South African boxing is mourning the death of former two-division world champion Zolani “Last Born” Tete, who was shot dead outside his home in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape. He was 38.
Tete was reportedly arriving at his residence on Friday evening, August 21, 2026, when he was ambushed by armed men as he waited for his residential gate to open.
According to police and South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, two suspects wearing balaclavas emerged from a vehicle and opened fire on the former champion.
Tete was fatally wounded in the attack. A 27-year-old woman who was in the vehicle with him was also shot multiple times and was taken to hospital for treatment.
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Two Persons of Interest Apprehended
The investigation into the killing has since taken a new turn, with the South African Police Service reportedly apprehending two persons of interest in connection with Tete’s murder.
Authorities have not publicly established a motive for the killing, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie urged members of the public with information about the shooting to assist investigators and warned against speculation over the motive while the police investigation continues.
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A Champion’s Legacy
Tete was one of South Africa’s most accomplished boxers.
He first won the WBF flyweight world title in 2007 and later became a two-division world champion. He captured the IBF junior-bantamweight title in 2014 before winning the WBO bantamweight championship in 2017.
He became internationally famous in November 2017 when he knocked out fellow South African Siboniso Gonya in just 11 seconds during a WBO bantamweight title fight in Belfast. The victory remains one of the most remarkable stoppages in world championship boxing history.
Tete finished his professional career with a record of 29 wins, 22 by knockout, against four defeats and one no-contest, according to Sky Sports.
Preparing for a Comeback
Tete’s death came shortly after the end of a four-year suspension that had kept him away from professional boxing.
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Reports indicated that the former champion had been preparing to return to the ring and believed he still had more to contribute to South African boxing.
His death has therefore brought an abrupt end to what was expected to be a comeback chapter in the career of one of South Africa’s most recognizable boxing figures.
Tributes have since poured in from the boxing community, with the World Boxing Organization mourning its former bantamweight champion.
The investigation into the killing continues.
Zolani “Last Born” Tete was 38.
Cruise TV News will continue to monitor developments as South African authorities provide further information.
