Johannesburg - A sangoma was burned to death in Khutsong near Carletonville on the West Rand on Sunday, Gauteng police said.
The man was accused of working with gangsters in the area, said Constable Thembi Masango.
She said the situation was “chaotic” just before 3pm.
Nobody had been arrested yet.
Paul Ncwane, the chairman of the SA National Civic Organisation in the area said there were helicopters and police “Nyala” armoured vehicles, as well as police officers on foot in the area.
Angry people were moving around in groups and were splitting up to avoid the police and confuse them.
He said four other people had been killed, but police could not immediately confirm this.
He said the community had had enough of young boys “terrorising them”.
“We are trying to stop gangsters. Women and children are living in fear because of these boys,” he said.
He said groups were also blocking the Potchefstroom road and throwing rocks at cars. - Sapa