Fatal Shooting
On Friday, former world boxing champion Zolani "Last Born" Tete was shot dead outside his home in the Mdantsane township of the Eastern Cape province. The 38-year-old was arriving at his house when two men in balaclavas stepped out of a car and fired multiple shots, killing him at the scene. A 27-year-old woman who was with Tete was also shot several times and taken to hospital.
Police say the motive remains unclear and have launched an investigation, calling on the public for assistance. The incident has drawn renewed attention to South Africa’s widespread violent crime, which continues to be one of the world’s highest murder rates.
Impact on South Africa’s Crime Statistics
Government data show that in the first four months of 2026, South Africa averaged 58 murders per day. For comparison, the United Kingdom recorded an average of 1.5 murders per day in 2025. The killing of Tete underscores the persistent violence that plagues the country.
Legacy of Zolani Tete
Tete’s career spanned 34 matches. He was a two-time IBF title holder, winning the junior-bantamweight title in 2014 and the bantamweight title in 2017. He also held the Guinness World Record for the fastest knockout in a title fight.
Gayton McKenzie, the minister of sports, arts and culture, said: "South Africa has lost one of the finest fighters it has ever produced … There are no words I can offer tonight that will be equal to what [the family] has lost." McKenzie added that Tete was training to return to the ring and believed he still had something to give his country.
The World Boxing Council issued a tribute, offering its deepest condolences to Tete’s family and praising his remarkable career.
The outpouring of grief and tributes from the boxing community and fans worldwide highlights the impact of Tete’s life and the tragic loss to South Africa’s sporting heritage.
