Three 17-year-old boys were arrested for allegedly stoning a 25-year-old man to death in Kwamsane, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Monday.

They were arrested on Saturday after they allegedly killed the man for stealing goats from a local homestead in Kwamshaya reserve, Captain Jabulani Mdletshe said.

The boys spotted the man and two others running away with the goats.

"The boys chased the three men and two of them managed to escape with the goats, but he was caught and hammered with stones."

He died on the scene. Local residents called the police.

The boys were arrested, charged with murder and were expected to appear before the Kwamsane Magistrate's Court on Monday.

Sapa