Former world champion boxer Zolani Tete shot dead in South Africa

38-year-old Tete was killed in his car; woman travelling with him was shot multiple times and is in hospital

AP

Johannesburg (South Africa), Updated At : 02:44 PM Aug 22, 2026 IST

Photo for representational purpose only. iStock

Former world champion boxer Zolani Tete has been shot and killed at his home in South Africa, government officials said Friday.

Gayton McKenzie, South Africa's sports, arts and culture minister, said the 38-year-old Tete was killed in his car and that a 27-year-old woman who was in the vehicle with him was shot multiple times and is in hospital.

Tete held world title belts in the WBF flyweight category from 2007-2008 and the WBO bantamweight title in 2017 and 2019.

Police said the shooting took place at Mdantsane, Eastern Cape and that Tete was arriving at his residence and waiting for the gate to open when he was ambushed by two armed suspects wearing balaclavas.

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#BoxerKilled #EasternCape #WBOChampion #ZolaniTete Boxing crime SouthAfrica SportsNews

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