‘He Was Very Fit’: Family Shocked by Tekete’s Sudden Death
The Johannesburg community is reeling after the untimely passing of Zwelethu Tekete, a 26-year-old father of two, who collapsed and died during the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) recruitment and selection programme.
Tekete, who hailed from Braamfischerville Phase 1, was known by his family as a vibrant and active young man. “He was very fit… He went to the gym regularly and had even passed similar physical assessments before without any issues,” his brother, Mthetheleli Tekete, told local media.
Two Tragedies in One Recruitment Drive
The shocking death of Tekete comes just days after another trainee, Marvellous Michael Nyambi, 24, from Rabie Ridge, also died during the same programme. Nyambi collapsed due to heat exhaustion on Thursday, August 28, at Ruimsig Stadium, and passed away the following day at Yusuf Dadoo Hospital.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla confirmed both fatalities, noting that emergency personnel acted immediately in both cases. Despite swift interventions, Tekete was declared deceased on the scene after CPR attempts failed.
Family Seeks Answers
While post-mortem results confirmed natural causes in Tekete’s death, his family is still grappling with the loss. “We want answers about what exactly happened to him,” Mthetheleli said. Tekete had no known health issues and had successfully completed similar assessments previously, including a stint with the Durban Metro Police.
Tekete’s family describes him as a dedicated, ambitious, and people-focused individual, who had earned a degree in Public Management from Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and was poised to contribute meaningfully to both his family and community.
A Life Beyond Policing
Outside of law enforcement aspirations, Tekete had a remarkable presence in the modelling and pageant world. He held multiple titles, including Mr Africa Continent 2021, Mr Tshwane Regions 2020, Mr TUT 2019, and was a finalist for Mr Supranational SA 2023.
Mthetheleli painted a picture of a man who balanced ambition with family devotion: “He was a people’s person, someone who was always passionate about what he did. We were looking forward to him helping the family.”
Tekete leaves behind two sons, aged seven and one, whose loss is now compounded by the suddenness of their father’s passing.
Honouring His Memory
The family has announced a prayer service in Braamfischerville, Soweto, on Friday, September 5, to honour Tekete’s life, with burial planned for September 13 in Matatiele, Eastern Cape.
Social media reactions have reflected widespread sympathy, with local communities mourning not just a promising young officer-in-training, but a figure who inspired others through fitness, modeling, and community engagement.
Zwelethu Tekete’s death serves as a solemn reminder of the pressures faced in high-intensity recruitment programmes and the fragility of life, even for those in peak physical condition. His family, friends, and fans will remember him not only for his achievements but for the energy, ambition, and warmth he brought to everyone around him.
{Source: IOL}
Featured Image: X {@MyAfrikaMag}
