Mhlaba Memela

Mhlaba Memela

A Durban family is mourning the death of their son who was beaten up outside his regular pub in what they believe was a racially motivated attack.

Sithembiso Ciya of Sea View, south of Durban, died in Durban's Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital on Monday after he was allegedly assaulted by two men outside the pub on Sunday night.

Ciya was a taxi driver and the breadwinner of his family.

Sibusiso Ciya told Sowetan yesterday that his brother "was killed for no apparent reason".

"We went to the pub to play snooker and have our drinks as usual," Sibusiso said.

"We bought three beers and less than five minutes later an employee, a white man, told us that the pub was closing. He ordered us to leave immediately.

When Sithembiso asked if we could finish our drinks first the man insisted that we leave."

Sibusiso said the man allegedly slapped his brother in the face.

"We left and went to our car. When we stopped at a traffic light our attackers came and dragged Sithembiso from the car.

"Both attackers assaulted him severely with baseball bats. They continued beating him while he lay on the ground. I watched helplessly as my brother bled from the mouth, nose and ears."

At the family home, which is close to the pub, friends and family gathered to pay their respects.

Nomsa Ciya, 46, was devastated by the death of her son.

"My son was a very responsible young man," Nomsa said. "I sent him to school to complete matric so that he could one day help the family out of poverty.

"He had just started working as a taxi driver and was helping to support his siblings when he was killed. I want to see justice done."

Sithembiso leaves behind his one-year-old daughter Amahle.

Taxi owner Nkosinathi Mncube said Sithembiso was an excellent driver.

"He was committed to his work."

Superintendent Jay Naicker said a murder case was being investigated. "The deceased was assaulted at the Kwenchers Family Pub on Sunday."