South Africa’s boxing champ, Zolani Tete, was shot dead in the Eastern Cape town of Mdantsane yesterday evening by an unknown gunman, who also wounded his woman companion.
The SAPS are investigating the murder of Zolani Tete, of the former IBF junior-bantamweight and WBO bantamweight world champion, after he was gunned down at NU 17, Mdantsane, yesterday evening at about 6.30 pm.
No arrests have yet been made for Tete’s murder. According to reports, Tete, arrived at his residence and while waiting for the gate to open two unknown armed suspects, wearing balaclavas, emerged from a vehicle and opened fire on him and his 27-year-old woman passenger.
Trying to escape hail of bullets, Tete drove his vehicle into the yard. But he sadly succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased on the scene. The suspects fled the scene .
Tete’s woman passenger sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. She remains in hospital.
The boxing and local communities and Eastern Cape Premier, Lubalo Oscar Mabuyane, have expressed shock and outrage . Mabuyane also expressed sadness following the tragic death of Zolani aged 38.
He said Tete was one of the finest boxers produced by the Eastern Cape, and held world titles in two weight divisions. He carried the name of ‘Mdantsane’, South Africa’s celebrated home of boxing, onto some of the biggest stages in international boxing.
“I am devastated by the shocking and senseless killing of our champion, Zolani Tete. “I call upon our law-enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in establishing the circumstances surrounding this murder and bringing those responsible to justice,” Mabuyane said.
“I equally appeal to anyone who may have information that can assist the investigation to cooperate with the police,” Mabuyane said.
The SAPS further says no arrests have yet been made and the motive for the attack remains unknown and are yet to be apprehended. “Members of the public who might witnessed the incident or who have any info to assist in the investigation are urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or the MySAPS App. All information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality,” the SAPS says.
Mabuyane further said: “Zolani emerged from the streets and boxing gyms of Mdantsane and fought his way to the summit of the world boxing. Wherever he fought, he carried with him the pride of Mdantsane, the Eastern Cape and South Africa”, said Premier Mabuyane.
“His journey inspired countless young people because he demonstrated that a child growing up in our townships can dream beyond their immediate circumstances and ultimately stand among the best in the world”, the Premier said.
“That a life which brought so much pride to our province should end through the barrel of a gun is both heart-breaking and deeply disturbing. This brutal act, once again, confronts us with the devastating consequences of illegal firearms and violent crime in our communities”.
“On behalf of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government and the people of our province, I extend my deepest condolences to the Tete family, his friends, the boxing fraternity and the entire community of Mdantsane. We mourn with you.
“Zolani may have fought his final round, but the name he wrote into the history of Eastern Cape and South African boxing will endure for generations. Lala ngoxolo, Champion,“Premier Mabuyane added.
According to Wikipedia, Zolani Tete was a South African professional boxer who competed from 2006 to 2022. He was a two-weight world champion, having held the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-bantamweight title from 2014 to 2015 and the World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight title from 2017 to 2019.
Tete held the Guinness World Record for the fastest knockout in a title fight in boxing history, knocking out Siboniso Gonya in eleven seconds of the opening round.
St Francis Chronicle 