FOUR houses were burned down following brewing tensions that some residents were practicing witchcraft, in Ntsoaneng village outside Burgersfort on Sunday afternoon.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said they were accused of being responsible for the death of a youngster in December.
The residents went on a rampage and started pursuing the Maepa's family, who have now been placed under police protection.
Mojapelo said the same community members later mobilized and went on to torch four houses, belonging to people accuse of practicing witchcraft in the village.
Members of the public order police have been deployed in the area to assist in stabilizing the situation.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba condemned the barbaric acts of vigilantism.
"Members of the community are strongly warned to desist from accusing others of witchcraft and then resort to attacks and destruction of properties", said Ledwaba.
