Those involved in killing six people accused of gangsterism in Khutsong on the West Rand will face the full might of the law, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said on Monday.
"We strongly warn the perpetrators of such disturbing incidents because mob justice is unjustifiable," Mthethwa said in a statement.
"You cannot resolve crime through committing crime; it is simply unacceptable."
Six people, including a sangoma, were killed allegedly by community members in Khutsong near Carletonville on the West Rand on Sunday, Gauteng police said.
About 400 men, believed to be Khutsong residents, held a meeting to discuss gangsterism earlier in the day, Brigadier Neville Malila said.
Shortly after the meeting started, the crowd split up into smaller groups.
One of the groups went to a house in Khutsong Extension Three, where they attacked a 61-year-old traditional healer, setting him and his house alight. The man died on the scene.
Gangs
Other splinter groups from the meeting went to Extension Four Phase Two, where two young men, allegedly members of the Casanova gang, were assaulted and set alight. They also died at the scene.
Malila said that in Extension Five, Carletonville, the groups assaulted a number of people they accused of being gangsters.
"Two alleged gang members were stoned, one died on the scene and the other at the Carltonville Hospital."
The body of a sixth man was found on Sunday night. He had been set alight.
Mthethwa said: "What is really worrying is the fact that the perpetrators of such acts are often perceived as heroes by some members of communities when such barbaric killings take place. Police are in hot pursuit of these so-called 'heroes' because there is nothing heroic when you burn and kill people."
Police have increased visibility in the area and were being assisted by the public order policing unit to stabilise the area.
"Currently, the area is volatile and police are patrolling," said Mthethwa.
No one arrested
No one had been arrested by early Sunday evening.
"Police vehicles who responded to the calls were stoned and damaged."
No police were injured, and one resident who was assaulted by the group was in hospital in a stable condition.
Malila said the area remained volatile and there was increased police visibility and Public Order Policing Unit members were also called in to stabilise the area.
Acting provincial police commissioner Lieunant General Lesetja Mothiba urged anyone with information to come forward as such acts of violence could not be condoned.
Earlier, Constable Thembi Masango said that the sangoma was accused of working with gangsters in the area.
She said the situation was "chaotic" just before 3pm.
'Terrorising'
Paul Ncwane, the chairperson of the South African National Civic Organisation in the area, said there were helicopters and police nyalas (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 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 Potchefstroom Road and throwing rocks at cars.