Atteridgeville community members have avenged the killing of a 38-year-old woman who was burnt to death with her boyfriend and three children on Sunday morning, Pretoria police said.

Captain Bonginkosi Msimango said community members descended on the woman's ex-boyfriend, pelting him with stones and other weapons on Sunday evening.

"He was seriously injured in the attack and rescued only when police arrived at the scene and rushed him to hospital," he said.

The man, who was allegedly seen leaving Sibongile Chiloane's backyard room at around 1am on Sunday was under police guard. He has been charged with five counts of murder and arson.

He is alleged to have doused Chiloane's room with petrol before setting it alight while Chiloane, her 40-year-old boyfriend and children aged 15, 10, and four were asleep.

"Chiloane, her boyfriend Walter Khoza and children Dimpho, Nelson and Tsakane were burnt beyond recognition," Msimango said.

Sapa