Former boxing champion Zolani Tete killed in shooting

Field Level Media|published: Sat 22nd August, 15:57 2026

Zolani Tete celebrates winning his fight against Omar Andres Narvaez on April 21, 2018.

Former boxing champion Zolani Tete was shot and killed in South Africa, government officials said Friday.

He was 38.

Police said two armed suspects wearing balaclavas opened fire on Tete as he waited in his car for the gate to open at his home in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape. A 27-year-old woman in the car with Tete was taken to a hospital with multiple gunshot wounds.

Tete was reportedly training for a comeback after a four-year suspension for testing positive for a banned substance following a fight in 2022. His suspension ended on July 29.

Tete held the WBO bantamweight title from 2017-19 and the IBF junior bantamweight title from 2014-15. He also held the WBF flyweight title from 2007-08. Tete compiled a 29-4 record across 34 professional fights, with 22 KOs and one no contest.

--Field Level Media

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