Nhlanhla Mkhize was sjamboked to death for allegedly stealing a beer.

The incident that baffled the community of Mophela, on the outskirts of Mpumalanga in KwaZulu-Natal, took place on Saturday morning in full view of other tavern patrons and the public.

Mkhize was accused by the owner of breaking into his tavern and stealing beer the night before.

A relative of the deceased who asked not to be named for fear of being victimised by the suspect said they want justice for their family member.

“We were called by some members of the public who informed us that Nhlanhla was being beaten by a local tavern owner. We rushed to the tavern and found him still assaulting him and we appealed to the tavern owner to stop but he continued,” said the relative.

The relative said they even offered to pay for the beer that was said to have been stolen but their pleas fell on deaf ears.

The relative said their older brother also pleaded with the suspect to stop the beating. Instead he chased him away and, said the relative, he even fired shots in the air.

“Some members of the public said the tavern owner had a grudge with Nhlanhla before this incident,” said the relative, adding that as the family they knew nothing about a grudge.

A local resident who also asked not to be named said he was at the tavern when Mkhize was beaten.

“Nhlanhla was beaten with a sjambok and boiling water was poured on him. He was rushed to the clinic where he died.”

KZN Police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo confirmed the incident but said no one has been arrested