*This content was translated by AI.
The full details of the shocking incident are expected to be unveiled. Four suspects have been arrested by local police in connection with the tragic killing of Zolani Tete (38, South Africa), a former world boxing champion who was fatally shot by assailants in front of his home.
British media outlet 'BBC' reported on the 24th (Korean time) that "South African police have arrested four suspects in connection with the murder of boxing champion Zolani Tete, who was shot dead outside his residence on the 21st."
According to local reports, South African police first arrested a 22-year-old male suspect on suspicion of murder and attempted murder on the 22nd. Three additional suspects were apprehended on the 23rd. The 22-year-old suspect is scheduled to appear in court for the first time on the 24th, while the remaining suspects are expected to appear in court on the 25th.
The media stated that "two of those arrested by police have already been charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition," but it remains unclear whether charges of murder and attempted murder will be added. The motive for the crime is also under investigation."
The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. on the 21st in Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, in front of Tete's residence. As Tete drove his car to his home and waited for the gate to open, two armed assailants wearing masks got out of their vehicle and indiscriminately opened fire on a 27-year-old woman who was riding with Tete. Tete managed to drive his car into the yard to avoid the bullets but suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. The woman accompanying him sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was hospitalized for treatment.
In response to the tragic news of his death, tributes have poured in from South Africa and the sports world. Gayton McKenzie, South Africa's Minister of Sports, said, "South Africa has lost one of its finest fighters in history." Former Sports Minister Phikile Mbalula also expressed deep sorrow, stating, "We have lost a great South African who made enormous contributions to the sport of boxing."
Tete was the WBF flyweight world champion from 2007 to 2008. He was a two-division world champion who won the IBF super flyweight title in 2014 and the WBO bantamweight title from 2017 to 2019. The legendary fighter recorded 34 wins, 29 victories, 4 losses, and 1 no-contest in his career. He stepped into the ring eight times on British soil, including a victory over Britain's Paul Butler in 2015. Notably, in 2017, he achieved a knockout victory against Siboniso Gonye just 11 seconds after the start of the first round, setting a Guinness World Record for the shortest time to win a title fight by knockout in boxing history.
His final match was against Jason Cunningham at Wembley Arena in London, UK, in July 2022, which he won by knockout in the fourth round. However, posthumous doping tests revealed a positive result for stanozolol, an anabolic steroid, leading to the result being voided and a four-year suspension from competition imposed by the UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD).
Tete's manager, Mlaba Tengimpeni, revealed that Tete had been undergoing intense training in preparation for his return to the ring after his suspension expired last July when he met with this tragic fate, adding to the sorrow.
Meanwhile, 'BBC' added that "South Africa is one of the countries with the highest murder rates in the world," noting that "according to the latest crime statistics compiled from January to March this year, an average of about 58 people are killed daily."
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*This content was translated by AI.
