Nine people were killed and one was critically injured when two cars collided in Tafelkop near Motetema on Sunday morning, Limpopo police said.

A red Toyota Conquest travelling from Groblersdal to Nebo collided head-on with a green Opel Astra at 2am, spokesperson Captain Mofati Makgopa said. There were five people in each car.

"We do not yet know what caused the accident, but it might have been due to driving with bright lights on. All the five occupants of the Astra were burnt beyond recognition when it burst into flames after the collision."

While the Conquest did not catch fire, the driver and three passengers were killed. All were adult men.

"All their bodies were found lying around the wreckage as though they were trying to escape. A man in his mid-20s was the only survivor of the accident. He was rushed to Groblersdal Hospital in a critical condition."

The road was closed to traffic for about two hours as emergency workers cleaned up. A case of culpable homicide was opened.