Five prisoners were injured when the police van they were in struck two donkeys in Mafikeng on Monday night, the North West public safety department said.

Two policemen had been transporting 11 prisoners from the Mmabatho Magistrate's Court to the Makgobistad police station when they collided with the animals on Airport road, spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said.

Police raced to the scene to ensure none of the prisoners escaped.

"Five of the 13 were injured, but all of them were taken to the Mafikeng provincial hospital for [treatment for] shock and observation."

They were under police guard.

Both donkeys died on scene.