Four arrested over boxing champion's murder in South Africa

ByKhanyisile Ngcobo, Reporting fromJohannesburg and Jude Winter, BBC Sport.

Key points

• As well as the IBF super-flyweight title in 2014, tete held the WBO bantamweight title from 2017 to 2019.
• He additionally holds a Guinness World Record for the fastest knockout in a title fight, ending his match with Siboniso Gonya inside 11 seconds in 2017.
• Tete beat Liverpool's Paul Butler in 2015 in one of the eight times he fought in the United Kingdom.
• Tete last fought in July 2022, beating Briton Jason Cunningham by knockout In London, but it was afterwards ruled a no-contest after he failed a drugs test.
• Tete, 38, was gunned down in what has been described as an ambush in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape.

Four individuals have been arrested in South Africa in connection with the murder of boxing champion Zolani Tete. This person was shot dead outside his home on Friday.

Tete, 38, was gunned down in what has been described as an ambush in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape. A young woman who was with him was additionally shot and is in hospital.

One of the men being held, a 22-year-old who was arrested on Saturday, will create an initial appearance in court on Monday, and faces murder and attempted murder charges.

As well as the IBF super-flyweight title in 2014, tete held the WBO bantamweight title from 2017 to 2019. He was afterwards given a four-year ban. It lapsed in July this year.

In practice, the remaining suspects, who were arrested on Sunday, are due in court on Tuesday. Two have been charged with unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. It is unclear whether they will additionally be charged with murder and attempted murder.

Tete was in his car waiting for the gate to his house to open when two armed suspects in balaclavas emerged from a vehicle and fired "multiple shots" at him and a 27‑year‑old female passenger, according to authorities.

Tributes have been pouring in for the two-time world champion since his death. South Africa's Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie remarked: "South Africa has lost one of the finest fighters it has ever produced."

Former Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula additionally paid tribute to Tete, lamenting the loss of a "a great South African who has made an immense contribution in the sport of boxing".

He tested positive for anabolic steroid stanozolol and was given a ban by the UK Anti-Doping Agency.

After his death, manager Mla Tengimfene confirmed he had been training for a comeback fight after his ban concluded.

Tete had 29 wins in 34 fights, with four losses and one no-contest. You may additionally be interested in. Two-time world champion Tete shot dead outside home. South Africa World Cup midfielder Adams dies aged 25. Remembrance service held for mum and two daughters.

Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent.

Taken together, the developments around four arrested over boxing champion' s murder in South Africa point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.