Court proceedings for five KwaZulu-Natal men who are accused of brutally beating and murdering a 28-year-old man have commenced, police have said.

The five, two of whom were arrested on Thursday morning, appeared in the Nsuze Magistrate's Court on the same day facing charges of murder and attempted murder.

Detectives nabbed Phumlani James Makhanya, 28, Siboniso Hlongwa, 22, and Sifundo Ndlela, 18, on Tuesday while Sphamandla "Ziqabulele" Nzama, 39, and Phila Mzobe, 18, were arrested in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Siyabonga Mthembu and a 23-year-old man police have not named had been walking home on Sunday, November 11, in Mkhomazi, Bhamshela, when they were allegedly ambushed by the group of men who assaulted them with bush knives and wooden sticks.

"The victims attempted to run away, however, they were caught at the nearby homestead and the ordeal continued," police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele said.

Mthembu succumbed to his injuries at the scene and the 23-year-old man he was with was rushed to hospital.

All five accused will remain in custody until Thursday, November 29.