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.