Richard Mkhari died a lonely, painful death on a farm in Phalaborwa nearly two months ago.

Richard Mkhari died a lonely, painful death on a farm in Phalaborwa nearly two months ago.

His badly decomposed body was found tied to a tree. He was allegedly caught poaching on a farm owned by one of the two suspects whose kidnap and murder charges were provisionally withdrawn last week.

Mkhari has not been buried yet as the cause of his death has not been legally determined.

While the agony continues for his wife and eight children, the question remains: Who killed him?

Police must intensify their investigations to ensure a speedy trial and conviction.

Even if Mkhari committed an offence, he did not deserve such a brutal death.