UMTATA - Two men died in a hail of bullets at Port St Johns early yesterday morning in what police suspect was a revenge attack.

Superintendent Nondumiso Jafta said the victims had been identified as Ntenteleza Lofana, 23, and Simbonile Ntsepho, 18, of Buje locality in the Port St Johns area.

"We suspect the incident is related to a beast that was allegedly stolen by people from the Buje community from the Mhlotsheni community and slaughtered earlier this week," said Jafta.

Jafta said four Buje residents were on their way to the Mhlotsheni with a span of cattle pulling a sled to buy building material.

"At about 4am they were accosted by five armed men who opened fire with AK47s and 9mm guns, killing the victims instantly and injuring a third person," she said.

Jafta said after the incident Buje residents mobilised themselves, apparently intending to attack the Mhlotsheni community, but police intervened. She said police were monitoring the situation and a task team had been formed to investigate the incident.