11-Second Knockout Expert Murdered Days After Doping Ban Expired, Comeback Plans Cut Short

11-Second Knockout Expert Murdered Days After Doping Ban Expired, Comeback Plans Cut Short

By BSN Sports 

Former two-time world boxing champion Zolani “Last Born” Tete has been shot dead outside his home in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, South Africa, at the age of 38, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Tete was killed on Friday evening, August 21, after two armed men wearing balaclavas reportedly ambushed him as he arrived at his residence and waited for the gate to open.

According to police, the assailants emerged from a vehicle and opened fire on Tete and a 27-year-old woman who was travelling with him. Tete attempted to drive into his yard but sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to hospital.

Eastern Cape police have opened a murder investigation, while the motive for the attack remains unknown.

Authorities initially urged the public to provide information that could assist the investigation. Police subsequently confirmed that two people, aged 30 and 22, had been apprehended in connection with the killing and the attempted murder of the woman. Investigators said they were pursuing further leads and cautioned against speculation while the case remains under investigation.

Tete's death has sent shockwaves through the boxing community, particularly in Mdantsane, a township with a rich boxing tradition.

Distinguished boxing career

Tete established himself as one of South Africa's leading fighters during an accomplished professional career.

He won the IBF junior-bantamweight world title in 2014 before going on to capture the WBO bantamweight championship in 2017. He successfully defended the WBO title before his career was interrupted by a suspension.

He became globally recognised in 2017 when he knocked out fellow South African Siboniso Gonya with the first punch of their WBO bantamweight world-title fight in Belfast.

The stoppage came after just 11 seconds, earning Tete a Guinness World Record for the fastest knockout in a world-title fight.

Tete finished his career with 29 victories, including 22 knockouts, four defeats and one no contest.

His final bout came against Britain's Jason Cunningham at Wembley Arena in July 2022. Although Tete initially won the contest, the result was later changed to a no contest after he tested positive for the banned substance stanozolol, leading to a four-year suspension.

The suspension expired in July 2026, and Tete had been training with plans to return to professional boxing. His manager, Mlandeli Tengimfene, said the former champion was scheduled to make his comeback on November 29.

South Africa mourns

South Africa's Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, paid tribute to Tete following his death, describing him as one of the finest fighters the country had produced.

McKenzie also revealed that Tete remained determined to return to the ring because he believed he still had more to contribute to his country.

The World Boxing Council also expressed its condolences to Tete's family and honoured the boxer's achievements during his career.

His killing has also renewed concerns about violent crime in South Africa. Government figures cited in recent reports indicate that the country recorded an average of about 58 murders per day during the first four months of 2026, despite a decline in homicide figures compared with the previous year.

For the South African boxing community, Tete's death represents the loss of a world champion who had already secured his place in the country's sporting history—and whose planned return to the ring has now been tragically cut short.