North West - Police were on Sunday night searching for those responsible for the killing of former world heavyweight boxing champion Corrie Sanders at a restaurant in Brits, North West police said.
Brigadier Thulane Ngubane said investigations were underway to lead to the arrest of the suspects who burst into the Thatch Haven Country Lodge on Saturday night, robbed patrons at the restaurant and fired shots, wounding Sanders.
The gunmen apparently took several personal belongings of the attendees at the restaurant.
The 46-year-old boxer was apparently at the restaurant celebrating his nephews' 21st birthday when armed men arrived and fired shots randomly.
Sanders, who was shot in the hand and stomach, died at the Kalafong hospital on Sunday.
Police were investigating a case of murder.
Sanders won the WBO heavyweight title in March 2003 after he dropped Ukrainian powerhouse Wladimir Klitsckho in the second round in Hanover, Germany, in March 2003. A southpaw, nicknamed 'The Sniper', he fought 46 times in his professional career, losing only four times, and winning 31 bouts by knockout. He retired in 2008, after going down to fellow South African Osborne Machimana in his last contest in the ring, and Sanders, a successful businessman, became a keen golfer after hanging up his gloves. - Sapa