An argument over the remote control between a South African man who wanted to watch the World Cup, and his family, escalated into a full-fledged assault, ending with the death of the soccer fan at the hands of his wife and two children.

The irony? While David Makoeya, a 61-year-old man from the small village of Makweya, Limpopo wanted to watch Germany vs. Australia, his family wanted to watch a different program…a gospel show. Because nothing says good old fashioned Christianity than beating a loved one to death over a remote control.

Makoeya, unable to wrestle the remote from his wife and kids, got up to change the channel by hand when he was attacked and beaten to death. Police theorize that his wife, 68-year-old Francina, and two children, 36-year-old son Collin and 23-year-old daughter Lebogang, repeatedly banged his head against a wall. The family summoned police after the beating, but by the time the cops got there Makoeya was already dead.

All three were taken into custody, however, Lebogang was released on $200 bail. Francina and Collin are to appear in court on July 27 to face charges.

[Seattle Times]