Eastern Cape police have rejected social media posts claiming that suspects in the killing of 38-year-old well-known boxer Zolani Tete have been arrested as “false and unfounded.”
Tete was killed outside his home in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape on Friday night as he sat in his car waiting for the gate to open.
On Friday, IOL reported that Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said police were investigating a case of murder and attempted murder after the shooting at NU17 at about 6.30pm.
She said the 38-year-old had been arriving at his house when two armed men wearing balaclavas got out of a vehicle and opened fire on him and a 27-year-old woman in the car with him.
“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.”
Gantana said the female passenger sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
She remains hospitalised.
At the time, Gantana said the identity of the deceased was known to police, but his name would be officially released only once the next-of-kin notification process had been completed.
“At this stage, no arrests have been made, and the motive for the attack remains unknown. The suspects fled the scene and are yet to be apprehended.”
On Saturday, Gantana said the South African Police Service (SAPS) had confirmed the identity of the man, as Tete.
“His next-of-kin have been informed.”
She said police wished to categorically state that no arrests had been made in connection with the murder at this stage.
“The investigation continues, and our teams are actively pursuing all available leads.”
She said police had noted with concern the rumours circulating on social media and other platforms suggesting that suspects had been apprehended.
“These reports are false and unfounded.”
“We urge the public to refrain from sharing unverified information, as this undermines the investigative process and causes unnecessary distress to the bereaved family and the community.”
She said the motive for the attack remained unknown and no arrests had been made.
“We appeal to the community of Mdantsane and the broader public to remain calm and allow the police to conduct their work without interference.”
Gantana said anyone with information that could assist in tracing the suspects was urged to come forward.
“Contact the Inyibiba SAPS or call Crime Stop at 08600 10111. All information will be treated confidentially. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses,” she said.
Tete was one of the most successful fighters South Africa has produced, a world champion at two weights who still holds a Guinness World Record.
He knocked out Siboniso Gonya in 11 seconds at the SSE Arena in Belfast on Nov. 18, 2017, the fastest knockout in a world title fight in the history of the sport.
He won the International Boxing Federation junior bantamweight title in Kobe, Japan, in July 2014 by stopping Teiru Kinoshita.
Tete held the World Boxing Organisation bantamweight title from 2017 until he lost it to John Riel Casimero in Birmingham in November 2019.
Tete fought 34 times as a professional, winning 29 and stopping 22 of his opponents.
He grew up in Mdantsane, started boxing at eight and was trained by former world champion Vuyani Bungu.
Tete had not fought since July 2022, when he tested positive for the banned steroid stanozolol after beating Jason Cunningham at Wembley.
The result was overturned to a no contest and he was banned for four years, a ban that ended on July 29 this year.
He told boxing magazine The Ring in January that he had always denied taking the drug and was planning to fight again this year.
IOL News
Simon Majadibodu
iol.co.za