South Africa's former world boxing champion Tete shot dead outside his home

In South Africa's Eastern Cape province, former world boxing champion Zolani "Last Born" Tete was killed outside his home on Friday, according to police and the country's sports minister. The 38-year-old was on his way to his residence in Mdantsane township when two men in balaclavas got out of a car and started shooting. "I will not speculate about who did this or why," stated Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie in a statement.

Tete's murder is likely to draw attention to South Africa's ongoing issue with violent crime, which still ranks among the world's highest murder rates despite recent reductions in homicides. Additionally, the death of the world champion resurfaced memories of the Eastern Cape township, where Tete's success is deeply ingrained. A 27-year-old woman accompanying Tete was also shot multiple times and rushed to the hospital.

Police have launched an investigation, but the motive behind the attack remains unknown. Tete claimed the IBF junior-bantamweight world title in 2014 after defeating Japan's Teiru Kinoshita in Kobe. He later secured the WBO bantamweight crown. Tete is most famous internationally for his rapid 11-second knockout of fellow South African Siboniso Gonya in Belfast in November 2017, which remains the quickest stoppage in a world title fight.