The burning to death of five people in Delft is being investigated.

It’s understood that they were beaten and set alight after allegedly breaking into a house and stealing a cellphone.

According to police the deceased are between the ages of 25 and 36.

No arrests have yet been made.

Police have condemned the vigilantism and has vowed to go after those who took the law into their own hands.

There is growing frustration among South Africans about the high levels of crime, slow police response and a criminal justice system that appears to offer little deterrence.