Breaking: Zolani Tete shot dead outside his home in South Africa
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Former world boxing champion Zolani Tete was shot and killed outside his home in South Africa's Eastern Cape province.
- The 38-year-old boxer was reportedly arriving at his residence when two armed men opened fire.
- Police are investigating the motive, and the incident highlights South Africa's high rates of violent crime.
Former world boxing champion Zolani Tete, 38, was shot dead outside his home in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Police and the country's sports minister confirmed the incident, which occurred as Tete was arriving at his residence in Mdantsane township.
Two armed men wearing balaclavas reportedly emerged from a vehicle and opened fire on the boxer. Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie stated he would not speculate on the perpetrators or their motives. A 27-year-old woman traveling with Tete was also shot multiple times and taken to the hospital.
The killing of the celebrated boxer is expected to draw renewed attention to South Africa's persistent problem with violent crime, which maintains one of the world's highest murder rates. Tete's death has deeply affected Mdantsane, a township that has produced numerous successful boxers.
Tete, known internationally for his lightning-fast 11-second knockout of Siboniso Gonya in 2017, held the IBF junior-bantamweight title and later the WBO bantamweight crown. Police have launched an investigation, but the motive behind the attack remains unclear.
I will not speculate about who did this or why.
Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.