Former World Champion Zolani Tete Shot Dead in Mdantsane

South African boxing is mourning the death of former two-division world champion Zolani “Last Born” Tete, who was shot and killed at his home in Mdantsane on Friday evening. He was 38.

A 27-year-old woman who was in the car with Tete was also shot several times. She remains in hospital.

Armed Attack Under Investigation

According to Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, two armed men wearing balaclavas exited a vehicle and opened fire before fleeing the scene.

McKenzie urged anyone with information about the shooting to assist the South African Police Service investigation.

“Somebody in that community knows who did this,” he said.

A Two-Division World Champion

Tete was from NU 12 in Mdantsane and became a world champion in two boxing divisions.

In 2014, he travelled to Kobe, Japan, where he defeated Teiru Kinoshita to claim the IBF junior-bantamweight title.

He later captured the WBO bantamweight crown.

An 11-Second World Title Victory

One of Tete’s most famous achievements came in November 2017, when he stopped Siboniso Gonya in 11 seconds.

The victory set a record for the fastest finish in a world title fight.

“He ended a world title fight in eleven seconds. That record still stands. It belongs to the boy from NU 12, Mdantsane,” McKenzie added.

Preparing for a Return to Boxing

Tete had been training for a return to professional boxing and hoped to make a further contribution to South African sport.

McKenzie also reflected on Mdantsane’s rich boxing history and remembered fighters such as Welcome Ncita and Vuyani Bungu, who trained Tete.

“Mdantsane has produced more world champions than many nations manage in a century,” McKenzie said.

“Lala ngoxolo, Last Born. You carried this flag into rooms it had no business being in,” McKenzie said.

Eastern Cape Community Safety spokesperson Makhaya Komisa reaffirmed the department’s support for the Tete family during this period.

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