MDANTSANE - Former two-time boxing world champion Zolani Tete has been shot and killed in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana confirmed that a shooting incident happened on Friday night at around 6:30pm.
According to Gantana, the 38-year-old male victim was arriving at his residence and waiting for the gate to open when he and a 27-year-old female passenger were ambushed by two unknown armed suspects, wearing balaclavas.
She said the suspects emerged from a vehicle and opened fire on them.
"In an attempt to escape the hail of bullets, the deceased drove his vehicle into the yard. He unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased on the scene."
"The female passenger sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. She remains hospitalised," Gantana said.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are still unknown as investigations continue.
"At this stage, no arrests have been made...The suspects fled the scene and are yet to be apprehended," she said.
Tete formerly held the WBF Flyweight and WBO Bantamweight titles.
He was expected to return to the ring shortly.
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Following a fourth-round knockout victory over Jason Cunningham in 2022, Tete tested positive for the steroid stanozolol.
This resulted in the UK Anti-Doping agency issuing him a mandatory four-year ban from boxing.
He was said to be planning a return to the ring following the expiration of his suspension in July 2026.