A BMW car hit a group of pedestrians who were walking along the R61 near Mbizana in South Africa, causing the deaths of five men at the scene and one on the way to the hospital.

The incident occurred around 11pm as the car travelled from Mbizana toward Port Edward.

The 24-year-old driver, allegedly travelling with only one occupant in the car, struck all six pedestrians. The cause of the accident is not yet known.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) opened a case of culpable homicide, and the driver has been arrested and will appear in court, spokesperson Col. Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed.

The Eastern Cape transport department expressed condolences and urged both drivers and pedestrians to be cautious at all times.

“This is the worst crash involving pedestrians reported in this province, where six pedestrians died from one crash,” the Eastern Cape transport and community safety MEC Xolile Nqatha said.

In a related incident, ten people died in a crash between a minibus taxi and a bus-truck on the R42 road near Delmas, Mpumalanga, early Monday.

Eight of the deceased were in the minibus taxi, including the driver, and two were in the bus-truck.

Twenty-four people were seriously injured, with eighteen from the bus-truck and six from the minibus taxi. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals.

The minibus taxi was travelling towards Emalahleni, and the bus truck was headed to Bronkhorstspruit. The cause of the crash is still unknown, and an investigation is ongoing.

Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Jackie Macie urged motorists to exercise caution to prevent such tragedies.