Two arrested in murder of former world champion Zolani Tete

Two men have been arrested in connection with the murder of former world boxing champion Zolani Tete, who was shot dead outside his home in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, on Friday evening. The victims of the crime, aged 30 and 22, were apprehended in Ku Gompo on Saturday as part of an intelligence-led operation involving several law enforcement agencies.

Tete, 38, was fatally shot while waiting for his gate to open, and the assailants fled in another vehicle. The woman traveling with Tete sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was hospitalized. Police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said the investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are expected. She urged the public and media not to speculate or spread unverified information, as it could jeopardize the investigation and court proceedings.

Tete, a celebrated South African boxer, had 34 professional fights, winning 29, including 22 by knockout. He held world titles in the junior bantamweight and bantamweight divisions, and was a former International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organisation champion. Tete, who grew up in Mdantsane and started boxing at the age of 8, had not fought since July 2022, when he tested positive for a banned steroid and received a four-year ban. His next of kin were notified of his identity on Saturday.