A South African man was allegedly beaten to death by his wife and two children last month because he wanted to watch a World Cup soccer game instead of a religious program, according to the Associated Press.
David Makoeya, 61, wanted to watch the match between Germany and Australia in his Limpopo province home on June 13, but his wife, daughter and son wanted to watch a gospel show.
“He said, ‘No, I want to watch soccer,’” and that’s when the argument started,” police spokesman Mothenmane Malefo told several reporters, according to the AP.
According to authorities, Makoeya got up to change the channel on the television after his family refused to give him the remote control. He was then attacked by his 68-year-old wife, Francina, 36-year old son, Collin, and 23-year-old daughter, Lebogang.
But authorities were not sure what the family used to kill Makoeya.
“It appears they banged his head against the wall,” Maelfo told the AP. “They phoned the police only after he was badly injured, but by the time the police arrived, the man was already dead.”
All three family members were arrested for Makoeya’s death, but Lebogang was later released on bail. Authorities said the mother and son, who are still in custody, along with the daughter are to appear in court on July 27.
South Africa is notorious for rampant violent crimes throughout the region, but police say the overwhelming security presence at this World Cup tournament has drastically reduced them. According to ABC News, South Africa has enlisted tens of thousands extra police units to deter the crime during the events. But many wonder whether the high level of policing will continue after the tournament has finished.
According to the U.K. Telegraph newspaper, police were worried that crimes would increase during the World Cup as South African natives acted out on their brewing resentment towards immigrants they view as a threat to their scarce jobs and resources.