MDANTSANE – The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Eastern Cape has issued a formal update on the Zolani Tete murder case, confirming that one suspect has been formally charged and another arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of the professional boxer in Mdantsane.
According to an Eastern Cape SAPS spokesperson, the investigation stems from the incident on 21 August 2026, where Zolani Tete was fatally shot in the NU 17 area of Mdantsane. Following this event, law enforcement apprehended two persons of interest in Ku Gompo on Saturday, 22 August 2026.
A 22-year-old male suspect has since been formally charged with murder and attempted murder. The attempted murder charge is directly linked to a 27-year-old female passenger who sustained injuries during the attack and remains hospitalized. This suspect is scheduled to appear before the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court on 24 August 2026.
The second individual apprehended at the same time, a 30-year-old male, has been released from police custody. The Eastern Cape SAPS spokesperson clarified that there were insufficient grounds to hold him further at this stage. However, he remains a potential witness as the investigation continues.
In a subsequent development, police have arrested an additional 22-year-old male in Ku Gompo City. His specific role in the matter is currently under active investigation, and he is expected to appear before the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court on 25 August 2026.
Authorities indicated that more arrests are anticipated as the investigation unfolds and police continue to follow up on active leads.
Due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing probe, the SAPS spokesperson emphasized that no further details can be disclosed at this time. The police have issued a strict caution to the public and the media against speculation or the dissemination of unverified information, warning that such actions could compromise the integrity of the investigation and subsequent court proceedings.
