Zolani Tete killed in shooting outside South Africa home

South African boxing is mourning the death of former world champion Zolani Tete, whose planned return to the ring has been cut short. The 38-year-old was shot outside his home in Mdantsane, in the Eastern Cape province, last week. His death removes a former two-division world champion from the sport just as he was preparing to resume his career.

Tete was in a car with a 27-year-old woman when two masked attackers reportedly appeared from another vehicle and opened fire. He died at the scene. The woman was hit several times and is receiving hospital treatment. Police have arrested four suspects in connection with the shooting, and one has been formally charged with murder. An investigation remains under way.

Tete first held the IBF super-flyweight world championship from 2014 to 2015. He later captured the WBO bantamweight title and held it from 2017 to 2019. His career was then interrupted by a four-year suspension imposed in 2022 after a positive test for stanozolol following his bout with Jason Cunningham. The suspension ended on July 29, allowing Tete to begin preparations for a return to competition before his death.