Zolani Tete: Four Arrested in South Africa Over Murder of Boxing Champion

• Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting death of two-time world boxing champion Zolani Tete in Eastern Cape
• Tete, 38, was shot in an ambush outside his home in Mdantsane on Friday, along with a 27-year-old female passenger
• South Africa's Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie led tributes, calling Tete one of the finest fighters the country had ever produced

South African police have arrested four people in connection with the killing of former world boxing champion Zolani Tete, who was shot dead outside his home in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, on Friday.

Tete, 38, was sitting in his car waiting for the gate to his house to open when two masked gunmen emerged from another vehicle and opened fire, discharging multiple rounds at him and a 27-year-old woman who was with him.

The woman survived and remains hospitalised.

BBC reported that a 22-year-old arrested on Saturday is set to make his first court appearance on Monday, facing charges of murder and attempted murder.

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Three additional suspects arrested on Sunday are due before a court on Tuesday. Two of those have been charged with unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, though it remains unclear whether they will also face murder and attempted murder charges.

Tete held the IBF super-flyweight title in 2014 and went on to claim the WBO bantamweight title, which he held from 2017 to 2019.

He also etched his name into sporting history by recording the fastest knockout in a world title fight, stopping Siboniso Gonya in just 11 seconds in 2017, a feat recognised by the Guinness World Records.

His career was later interrupted by a four-year ban issued by the UK Anti-Doping Agency after he tested positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol following a knockout victory over British fighter Jason Cunningham in London in July 2022.

That result was subsequently declared a no-contest. The ban lapsed in July this year, and his manager, Mla Tengimfene, confirmed after Tete's death that the champion had been preparing for a comeback fight.

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Tributes Pour In for Two-Time World Champion

Tributes have come from across South Africa's sporting community since news of the killing broke.

Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie described Tete as "one of the finest fighters it has ever produced," while former Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula mourned the loss of "a great South African who has made an immense contribution in the sport of boxing."

Tete compiled a professional record of 29 wins from 34 bouts, with four defeats and one no-contest. Among his notable career moments was a victory over Liverpool's Paul Butler in 2015, one of eight occasions he competed in the UK.

Okudzeto Ablakwa shares update on deceased Ghanaian

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported on Okudzeto Ablakwa's update on the tragic return of the bodies of Ghanaian nationals who fell victim to xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The Foreign Affairs Minister expressed the government’s commitment to ensuring the safe repatriation of the remaining victim while honouring those who lost their lives in the heartbreaking violence.

Source: YEN.com.gh