Two men died in a street race in Pretoria North early this morning, paramedics said.

Eyewitnesses saw four vehicles racing through red traffic lights at 1am, said Netcare 911 spokesman Jeffrey Wicks.

“The driver of a bakkie appeared to have lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a bend. The bakkie left the road and struck a tree at high speed. Both the driver and passenger were killed on impact,” he said.

Wicks said no one else was injured and the other cars drove away.

Three people died in an apparent drag race in Pretoria in April.

Afterwards Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele urged law enforcement officials to crack down on illegal drag racing.

“Law enforcement officers are expected to know where these illegal drag races are taking place, and must stop it even before it starts,” he said.

Ndebele said law enforcers should not be afraid to confiscate vehicles or suspend licences if it would prevent illegal drag racing.