A 30-year-old man who was out on bail for rape was stoned to death by a mob in Ngcobo on Friday afternoon, Eastern Cape police said.

Superintendent Mzukisi Fatyela said a group of Mqonci villagers were unhappy that he was released on bail and attacked him at 2pm.

"They hit him with sticks and stones until he died," said Fatyela.

Police were investigating murder and expected to make arrests soon.