Former world boxing champion Zolani Tete was shot dead at his home in South Africa, according to government officials.
South African Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie said on Friday evening that Tete, 38, was fatally shot in his car. A 27-year-old woman in the same vehicle was also hit by multiple bullets and is being treated at a hospital.
Police said the shooting occurred in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape province. Tete was on his way home and waiting for the gate to open when two armed suspects wearing balaclava masks ambushed him.
Tete held the WBF flyweight world title from 2007 to 2008 and the WBO bantamweight title in 2017 and 2019.
His career breakthrough came in 2014 when he defeated Teiru Kinoshita by decision in Japan to win the IBF super-flyweight world title. He later captured the interim WBO belt before becoming the full world champion.
Tete also made his mark with an 11-second knockout with his first punch in a 2017 world title fight against Siboniso Gonya – the fastest knockout in world title fight history.
His professional career ended with 29 wins, 22 by knockout, 4 losses, and 1 no-contest.
Tete's last fight took place in July 2022, when he defeated British boxer Jason Cunningham at Wembley Arena in London, United Kingdom.
However, the result was later overturned after Tete tested positive for the banned substance stanozolol, and he was suspended for four years. Tete always denied intentionally using the banned substance.
The ban had just expired in July, and Tete was actively preparing for a comeback when the tragic incident occurred.
