Police Move Quickly After Former World Champion Is Gunned Down.
South African police have arrested four suspects in connection with the murder of former two-time world boxing champion Zolani “Last Born” Tete, marking a significant development in the investigation just days after the 38-year-old was shot dead in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape. The arrests were confirmed by the South African Police Service and reported on August 24, 2026.
Tete was attacked on the evening of August 21 as he arrived at his home. Police said two masked gunmen opened fire while he was in his vehicle waiting for the residential gate to open. A 27-year-old woman travelling with him was also shot and remains in hospital.
Four People Now in Police Custody.
According to Eastern Cape police, the first suspect was arrested on Saturday, August 22, with three additional suspects arrested the following day in Mdantsane and Scenery Park. The suspects are aged between 22 and 28, and one has already been formally charged with murder and attempted murder.
The arrests have been welcomed as an important breakthrough, although police have cautioned against speculation while the investigation continues. Authorities are still working to establish the motive behind the killing and determine the precise roles of each suspect.
A Champion’s Life Cut Short.
Tete was one of South Africa’s most accomplished boxers. He won the IBF junior-bantamweight world title in 2014 before becoming WBO bantamweight champion in 2017, and he became internationally recognised after recording an extraordinary 11-second knockout in a world title fight.
He had also been preparing for a return to professional boxing after completing a suspension, believing he still had more to contribute to the sport. His death therefore came just as he was attempting to begin another chapter of his career.
South Africa Demands Answers.
Tete’s murder has shocked the boxing community and renewed concerns about violent crime in South Africa. Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie described Tete as one of the finest fighters produced by the country, while authorities have appealed for information that could assist the investigation.
The rapid arrests provide some relief to Tete’s family, supporters and the wider boxing fraternity, but the case is far from over. Investigators must now establish the motive and ensure that those responsible face justice through the courts.
The arrest of four suspects offers an important breakthrough in a case that has shocked South African sport. But for Tete’s family and fans, justice will ultimately mean more than arrests. It will mean establishing exactly what happened, why the champion was targeted and ensuring that everyone responsible is held accountable.
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