A case of culpable homicide has been opened following a fatal car accident in which a vehicle burst into flames, killing a man on the N1 highway near Bellville. 

The incident occurred shortly after midnight on Thursday, near the Old Oak Road turn-off. Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said reports on the incident suggest that two vehicles were involved in a collision before one of them caught alight. 

“Bellville police registered a culpable homicide case for investigation following a fatal crash on Thursday morning, 19 March 2026, at about 00:15, on the N1 Highway, near the Old Oak Road turn off,” said Twigg.  

Emergency services responded to the scene after receiving reports of a burning vehicle. 

Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said teams received the call at 00:15.  

“One vehicle, a Nissan NP200 was alight. It appeared that the vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a lamp pole and boundary wall,” said Carelse.  

Carelse advised that the fire was extinguished at 00:50. He added that the driver of the vehicle was the sole occupant, and confirmed that “this was a fatal accident”.  

“An adult male was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel,” said Twigg.  

Twigg confirmed that the circumstances around the crash are being investigated, with no arrests made yet.  

Update: 26031900003: Crash: N1 Outbound at Ramp to Old Oak Rd (M31). Left lane closed, expect delays…#BeTheChange https://t.co/yDHT18MFzw pic.twitter.com/kfvn7bl6KR

— Cape Town FMS (@CapeTownFreeway) March 19, 2026

Police have urged anyone with information to come forward. 

As Ramadaan draws to a close, Nakhlistan is once again preparing a massive Eid-ul-Fitr feeding initiative, set to benefit thousands of vulnerable residents across the Western Cape.

The organisation will cook 185 pots of aknie, a traditional rice, meat and potato dish, this evening, 20 March, at the Callies Rugby Field in Rylands Estate. Cooking is expected to begin at around 7:30 pm, with hundreds of volunteers assisting.

Now in its 43rd year, the initiative aims to feed around 95,000 people on Eid-ul-Fitr, ensuring that families in need can celebrate the day with dignity.

Founded in 1984 by the late Shukoor Mowzer and two friends, Nakhlistan began with just two pots of food in Athlone. Today, it has grown into one of the province’s largest community-driven feeding efforts, serving people of all backgrounds.

This year’s cooking effort will use several tonnes of ingredients, including meat, rice, potatoes and onions, prepared over wood fires, a signature of the initiative that draws hundreds of onlookers each year.

Organisers say the event is especially significant as Eid-ul-Fitr coincides with Human Rights Day, highlighting the importance of access to food as a basic human right.

The public is encouraged to attend the cooking event or support the initiative through donations, as Nakhlistan continues its mission to provide relief to communities in need throughout the year.

If you would like to support this effort, visit their website:

www.nakhlistan.org.za

Donations can be dropped off at 45 Murton Road, Rylands Estate. Call Rashida
Mowzer on 021 633 4016 | 0722 311 429, or email info@nakhlistan.org.za