Zolani Tete murder: Four suspects arrested in South Africa

South African authorities have arrested four suspects in connection with the murder of former two-division world boxing champion Zolani Tete. Tete, 38, was killed in an ambush on August 21 outside his home in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape. He was shot while waiting in his vehicle for his gate to open. A 27-year-old woman traveling with him was also wounded in the attack and remains hospitalized.

One suspect, a 22-year-old, has been formally charged with murder and attempted murder. The other three suspects, aged between 27 and 28, have been taken into custody, with some facing charges related to unlawful possession of firearms. A 30-year-old individual was also detained but is currently being treated as a witness.

Tete was a highly decorated athlete, holding the WBO bantamweight and IBF super-flyweight titles. He famously held the Guinness World Record for the fastest knockout in a world title fight, lasting only 11 seconds. Following a four-year suspension that ended in July 2026, Tete had been training for a professional comeback at the time of his death. South African Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie and other officials have paid tribute to his significant contributions to the sport.