Zolani Tete Murder: Gayton McKenzie Makes Emotional Appeal to Public
- South African boxing is mourning after a devastating attack claimed the life of a former world champion, sending shockwaves through the sport
- The sports minister has addressed the tragedy while making a direct appeal to the Mdantsane community for information
- Tete’s remarkable boxing legacy is now being remembered as tributes grow for the champion who made history in the ring
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Source: Getty Images
Former two-division world champion Zolani “Last Born” Tete was shot and killed at his home in Mdantsane on Friday evening, 21 August 2026, aged 38. Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has since paid tribute to the boxing star and appealed for information about the attack.
According to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Tete was sitting in his car waiting for his gate to open when the attackers struck. McKenzie said,
“Two armed men in balaclavas got out of a car in Mdantsane and killed one of our greatest world champions at his own front gate, and they are still out there tonight.”
Minister appeals for information
A 27-year-old woman who was with Tete during the shooting was also wounded several times. She was taken to hospital for treatment, with McKenzie calling for her recovery and privacy to be respected.
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“I wish her a full recovery, and I ask that her privacy and the family's be respected,” the minister said.
McKenzie also avoided drawing conclusions about why the attack happened, stressing that establishing the circumstances was the responsibility of the South African Police Service.
He instead urged members of the public who may have witnessed the incident or have relevant information to assist detectives.
“I appeal to anyone who saw anything, who knows anything, who heard anything, to come forward,” McKenzie said.
Source: Getty Images
Tete’s remarkable boxing legacy
Tete leaves behind a distinguished career that saw him become a world champion in 2 weight divisions and one of the most respected names in South African boxing. His defining moment came in Belfast on 18 November 2017, when he stopped fellow South African Siboniso Gonya in just 11 seconds, setting a world record for the fastest knockout in a world title fight.
Reflecting on his achievements, McKenzie described Tete as “one of the finest fighters” South Africa had ever produced. The minister also highlighted the significance of Tete’s roots in Mdantsane, where his boxing journey began and where his life was tragically cut short.
McKenzie said the champion’s accomplishments had brought lasting recognition to his hometown, with his name now firmly connected to one of the most remarkable achievements in boxing history.
As of 22 August 2026, police investigations into Tete’s killing were continuing. Authorities had not confirmed a motive, while McKenzie urged anyone with information about the shooting to assist investigators.
Robert Marawa leads tributes to Zolani Tete
Briefly News also reported that tributes began pouring in following the death of former world champion Zolani Tete, with sports broadcaster Robert Marawa among those to publicly react to the news.
Marawa took to social media with a brief but emotional message for the former champion.
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Source: Briefly News
