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Former world champion boxer Zolani Tete shot and killed in South Africa

The 38-year-old former flyweight and bantamweight titleholder died after an ambush outside his Eastern Cape home.

The short version

  • Former world champion boxer Zolani Tete was ambushed and fatally shot in his car outside his residence in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape.
  • A 27-year-old female passenger sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was hospitalized.
  • Police reported that two balaclava-wearing armed suspects carried out the attack while Tete was waiting for his gate to open.
  • Authorities have not yet identified the suspects or disclosed a motive for the shooting.

Key facts

  • Zolani Tete, 38, was shot and killed while sitting in his car outside his residence in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape.[Associated Press]
  • South Africa's Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie confirmed Tete's death.[Associated Press]
  • A 27-year-old woman in the car with Tete was shot multiple times and hospitalized.[Associated Press]
  • According to police, two armed suspects wearing balaclavas ambushed Tete as he waited for his gate to open.[Associated Press]
  • Tete held the WBF flyweight title from 2007 to 2008 and the WBO bantamweight title in 2017 and 2019.[Associated Press]

What remains uncertain

  • The identities of the two suspects and the motive behind the ambush remain unconfirmed.[Associated Press]
  • The medical status and identity of the hospitalized 27-year-old passenger have not been detailed.[Associated Press]

Sources