An Eastern Cape mayor on Thursday condemned an attack on two sisters who were killed after being accused of witchcraft.

Alfred Nzo District Municipality Mayor Sixolile Mehlomakhulu said he was shocked by the murders. The siblings – aged 53 and 33 – were burnt to death in Ngonyameni village, Emaxesibeni, on Wednesday night before their houses were also razed.

Mehlomakhulu called the attack "inhuman" and urged police to increase their visibility and arrest the perpetrators so they can "face full might of the law".

Officials visited the women's family and requested counselling from the provincial social development department for them, the municipality said in a statement.

"We, working with other government institutions, have been conducting series of gender-based violence awareness campaigns throughout the district and we will continue with such awareness programmes, particularly on this issue of alleged witchcraft," Mehlomakhulu said.