Four people have been arrested in South Africa after former world boxing champion Zolani Tete was shot dead outside his home. The 38-year-old was killed in an apparent ambush in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, on Friday. A 27-year-old woman who was with him was also shot and remains in hospital.Tete was a two-time world champion and one of South Africa’s most successful boxers. He held the WBO bantamweight title and the IBF super-flyweight title. His death has led to an outpouring of tributes, while police continue to investigate why he was targeted.
Police investigates Zolani Tete’s murder motive after four arrests
Police have not yet revealed why Zolani Tete was killed. Officials have described the incident as an ambush, but there is no confirmed motive at this stage. Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances around the shooting and determine whether the suspects had a specific reason for targeting the former champion.According to officials, Tete was sitting in his car and waiting for the gate of his home to open when two armed men wearing balaclavas came out of another vehicle. They fired “multiple shots” at Tete and the woman travelling with him. Tete died at the scene, while the woman was taken to hospital.A 22-year-old man was arrested on Saturday. He is due to make his first appearance in court on Monday. He faces murder and attempted murder charges.Three more suspects were arrested on Sunday. They are expected in court on Tuesday. Two of them have been charged with unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. It remains unclear whether murder and attempted murder charges will also be added.The arrests are the first major development in the investigation, but authorities have not said whether the suspects knew Tete or whether the attack was connected to his boxing career. There has also been no official suggestion that the shooting was linked to his previous anti-doping case.Tete was a major figure in South African boxing. He won the IBF super-flyweight title in 2014 and later became WBO bantamweight champion in 2017. He defended his reputation internationally and fought in the United Kingdom eight times.One of his best-known victories came against Liverpool boxer Paul Butler in 2015. Tete also made history in 2017 when he stopped Siboniso Gonya in just 11 seconds. The victory gave him the Guinness World Record for the fastest knockout in a title fight.Tete’s final fight came in July 2022 against Briton Jason Cunningham in London. Tete won by knockout, but the result was later changed to a no-contest after he failed a drugs test. He tested positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol and was given a four-year ban by UK Anti-Doping.That ban ended in July 2026. His manager, Mla Tengimfene, later confirmed that Tete had been training for a comeback. He had hoped to return to professional boxing after completing his suspension.Tete finished his career with 29 wins from 34 fights. He suffered four defeats and had one no-contest.
