South African police have detained four suspects following the fatal shooting of former world boxing champion Zolani Tete outside his residence in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape.
The 38-year-old boxer was attacked on Friday while waiting in his vehicle for the entrance to his home to open.
Authorities said two armed men wearing balaclavas got out of another car and opened fire, striking Tete and a 27-year-old woman travelling with him.
The woman survived and is receiving treatment in hospital.
A 22-year-old suspect arrested on Saturday is expected before a magistrate on Monday.
He is facing allegations of murder and attempted murder.
Three other suspects were apprehended the following day and are scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
Two of them have been accused of illegally possessing guns and ammunition.
Police have not confirmed whether further charges linked to Tete’s death will be brought against them.
Investigators have yet to establish why the boxer was targeted.
Tete captured the WBO bantamweight crown between 2017 and 2019 and previously held the IBF super-flyweight championship in 2014.
His professional career was interrupted by a four-year doping suspension, which ended in July.
News of his death prompted widespread tributes across South Africa.
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie described Tete as one of the country’s greatest fighters, while former minister Fikile Mbalula praised his contribution to South African boxing.
The boxer competed eight times in Britain and famously defeated Liverpool fighter Paul Butler in 2015.
He also entered the Guinness World Records after stopping Siboniso Gonya in just 11 seconds during a 2017 title bout, recording what is recognised as the quickest knockout in a world championship contest.
Tete’s final professional appearance came in July 2022, when he stopped Britain’s Jason Cunningham in London.
The result was subsequently changed to a no-contest after Tete returned a positive test for stanozolol, an anabolic steroid.
The UK Anti-Doping Agency subsequently imposed the suspension.
His manager, Mla Tengimfene, said after his death that Tete had been preparing to return to the ring following the completion of his ban.
Across 34 professional bouts, Tete recorded 29 victories, suffered four defeats and had one contest declared a no-contest.
His killing comes amid persistent concerns over violent crime in South Africa.
Official figures for January to March this year indicate that approximately 58 people were murdered across the country each day.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong