Mabuyane and Faku to visit Tete's family as four suspects set to appear in court

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane and Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality mayor Princess Faku will this morning visit the home of the slain former boxing world champion Zolani Tete to pay their last respects.

Tete, a former two-weight division world champion, was shot and killed outside his home at NU 17 in Mdantsane on Friday evening. Unconfirmed reports say he was shot in front of his children. Tete was 38 years old.

The visit will happen as the four suspects that were arrested over the weekend are set to make their first appearance at the Mdantsane magistrate court. Five people were arrested between Saturday and Sunday. One has since been released after being questioned by the KuGompo police.

Since the news broke, the family has been inundated with messages of support that have come from all four corners of the world. On Saturday afternoon Boxing South Africa CEO, Tsholofelo Lejaka led a high-powered delegation which included Eastern Cape Department of Sport General Manager for Sport, Awethu Zumana, BSA Chief Operations Officer Mandla Ntlanganiso, boxing stakeholders, including a hordes of supporters, to the Tete home.

During a short prayer, speakers spoke about how his killing had robbed South Africa of a great sportsman as Tete was expected to return to the ring after a four-year ban.

“Buffalo City has lost not only a champion in the boxing ring, but one of our own sons who carried the name of our city with pride onto the international stage,” Faku said in a statement released by the City Hall on Friday night. “Zolani was a symbol of determination, discipline, resilience and excellence. We are deeply saddened that a life that gave so much inspiration to our communities has been cut short in such a tragic manner. There are no words adequate enough to express our pain.”

Faku said Tete’s contribution to boxing and his place in Buffalo City’s sporting history will never be forgotten. “Let us remember Zolani not only for the tragic circumstances of his passing, but for the champion he was, the records he set and the pride he brought to Mdantsane, Buffalo City, the Eastern Cape and South Africa,” she said.

“His achievements inspired a generation of young people to believe in themselves and to pursue their dreams regardless of where they come from. His legacy belongs not only to his family and the boxing fraternity, but to the entire city that proudly called him one of its own.

Faku joined those who have already condemned the violent killing. “As a city, we condemn this senseless violence. We call on law-enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in bringing those responsible to justice. The people of Buffalo City deserve to live in communities where human life is respected and protected.

Tete will be laid to rest this Saturday, at a venue still to be announced. The Eastern Cape government is believed to be considering requesting President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare an official fuenral for Tete. The ANC in the Eastern Cape is one of the organisations that have already written to Mabuyane to plead with him to approach the President.