South African family kills father who wanted to watch World Cup on TV

A South African man who wanted to watch a World Cup football match instead of a religious programme was beaten to death by his family, police said today.

David Makoeya, a 61-year-old from the village of Makweya in the north-eastern Limpopo province, fought with his wife and two adult children for the remote control on Sunday because he wanted to watch Germany play Australia in the World Cup.

His wife Francina, 68, son Collin, 36, and daughter Lebobang, 23, wanted to watch a gospel show.

Police said they attacked him when he got up to change the channel by hand. Spokesman Mothemane Malefo said officers did not know what killed him.

"It appears they banged his head against the wall," he said. "They phoned the police only after he was badly injured, but by the time the police arrived the man was already dead."

All three were arrested Sunday night, but Lebogang was bailed on Tuesday. Yhe other two are still being held in custody. Mr Malefo said the mother and son would reappear in court on July 27.

Mr Makoeya's nieces, Miriam and Anna, told the Daily Sun newspaper: "He was always a happy man, never violent."