EASTERN CAPE – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has announced significant developments in the Zolani Tete murder case, confirming new criminal charges and an additional arrest linked to the fatal shooting of the prominent boxer in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape.
An Eastern Cape SAPS spokesperson detailed that the active probe centers on the 21 August 2026 incident in which Tete was fatally shot in the NU 17 neighborhood of Mdantsane. Investigators moved swiftly, detaining two individuals in the Ku Gompo area on Saturday, 22 August 2026.
Of those initially detained, a 22-year-old man has been officially charged with both murder and attempted murder. The spokesperson clarified that the attempted murder charge stems from injuries sustained by a 27-year-old female passenger during the attack; she remains hospitalized and is receiving medical treatment. This accused individual is slated to stand before the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court on 24 August 2026.
Meanwhile, a 30-year-old man who was initially apprehended alongside the primary suspect has been freed from police custody. The SAPS spokesperson explained that authorities determined there were no sufficient legal grounds to keep him detained at this stage, though he remains a potential witness as detectives continue their investigative work.
In a separate but related breakthrough, law enforcement officers have taken another 22-year-old male into custody in Ku Gompo City. While his exact involvement is still being actively scrutinized by investigators, he is scheduled for a Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court appearance on 25 August 2026.
The Eastern Cape SAPS spokesperson emphasized that the probe remains highly active, with additional arrests anticipated as detectives pursue fresh leads. However, due to the delicate nature of the ongoing legal process, authorities are withholding further specifics at this time.
Police strongly urged both the media and the general public to refrain from spreading unverified rumors or speculation. Authorities warned that circulating unconfirmed details could actively jeopardize the integrity of the investigation and complicate future court proceedings.
