LION SENTENCE DUE SOON.

South Africa lion murder pair face sentence .

Nelson Chisale was thrown into a white lion breeding ground. Two South African men convicted of murdering a man by beating him up and throwing him alive into a lion enclosure are to face sentencing. A judge has started to deliver his ruling but may continue until Thursday. The two men could face life jail-terms. Nelson Chisale, a black farm labourer, had been sacked by his white boss, Mark Scott-Crossley, after a disagreement.

He was beaten up and thrown to lions by Scott-Crossley and an employee when he went to pick up some belongings. The BBC's Nick Miles in South Africa says that in a society often hardened to violent crime, this is a case that still had the power truly to shock.

Two months after being sacked, Mr Chisale returned to pick up his belongings at the farm near Kruger National Park in the north of the country. He was beaten up by Scott-Crossley and one of his employees, Simon Mathebula. They tied him up and then took him to a nearby lion breeding centre, before throwing him over a fence. He was mauled to death. The only remains recovered were a few bones and some shredded clothing.

At the time, human rights activists said the case highlighted the continuing abuse of farm labourers and racial tensions in rural areas. Scott-Crossley and Simon Mathebula face mandatory life sentences unless the judge finds there are compelling reasons for the court to decide otherwise.