Former world champion boxer Zolani Tete shot dead outside his home

Former world champion boxer Zolani Tete has been shot dead outside his home in South Africa, government officials said.

The 38-year-old was killed in his car, and a 27-year-old woman who was in the vehicle with him was shot multiple times and is in hospital, said Gayton McKenzie, South Africa's sports, arts and culture minister, on Friday.

Police said that Tete was arriving at his house in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, and waiting for the gate to open, when he was ambushed by two armed suspects wearing balaclavas.

Officers have started an investigation, and the ​motive is unclear.

Tete's ​killing will renew attention on ⁠violent crime in South Africa, ⁠which continues to have one of the world's highest murder rates ‌despite a recent decline.

He held world title belts in the WBF flyweight category from 2007 to 2008, and the WBO bantamweight title in 2017 and 2019.

Tete beat Liverpool's Paul Butler in 2015 during a fight at Liverpool's Echo Arena.

The boxer tested positive for anabolic steroid stanozolol, and was given a four-year ban, following his fight with Jason Cunningham in 2022.

Read more from Sky News:
Multiple people die in crash involving police vehicle
Canada to match Trump's tariffs

His suspension ended on 29 July, and he was planning a comeback.

Tete is best remembered internationally ⁠for his 11-second knockout of ​fellow South African Siboniso Gonya in Belfast ​in November 2017, the fastest stoppage in a world title fight.

(c) Sky News 2026: Former world champion boxer Zolani Tete shot dead outside his home