Five people were killed when two vehicles ploughed into them at an accident scene on the N1 south of Polokwane.
Police Spokesperson Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba says the tragic incident unfolded when a truck driver was trying to flee robbers in the early hours of Saturday morning.
He says the driver had mechanical problems and wanted to pull over to the side of the road to investigate. The driver, however, saw two armed men coming out of nowhere who started firing shots.
He instinctively turned back onto the highway when the five victims in a Toyota drove into the back of his truck.
Ledwaba says the truck driver did not stop and drove straight to the Naboomspruit police station.
The five occupants of the Toyota got out of their car when two vehicles slammed into them, killing them on the spot.
Police have expressed their concern about crime along the N1, and the fact that people who stop for whatever reason are often targeted.
Police are investigating a case of armed robbery, attempted murder and culpable homicide.
The suspects are still at large.
