A multiple Vehicle collision has occurred on the M1.

An SA Police Service (SAPS) officer and four suspects died in a multi-vehicle collision on Corlett Drive in Waverley, Johannesburg, on Monday.

Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Xolani Fihla told News24 that the officer was reportedly transporting the suspects from court in an official vehicle at the time of the accident.

Emergency Management Services spokesperson Nana Radebe-Kgiba said four suspects died.

Public Safety MMC Mgcini Tshwaku told News24 from the scene that the driver of a 4x4 lost control of their vehicle after colliding with a Mini Cooper and crashing into multiple cars, including the SAPS vehicle.

Fihla said JMPD officers closed the M1 South and diverted traffic. He said the cause of the accident was under investigation.

"What we know at the moment is that the accident involved five vehicles. The number of fatalities is also under investigation. The M1 South is completely closed near Corlett Drive," he said.

SAPS referred queries to JMPD.

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