THE N1 between Polokwane and Louis Trichardt was closed for about five hours on Saturday while traffic officers struggled to clear the road after a fatal accident.

A double-cab bakkie collided head-on with a petrol tanker, killing seven people - including the driver of the bakkie - instantly.

Transport department spokesperson Wisani Ngobeni said the accident took place at about 7am.

"No injuries were reported concerning the driver of the petrol tanker truck," Ngobeni said.

"We only received information that the driver of the bakkie lost control and collided with the truck."

He said the bakkie was transporting about seven people to Polokwane, while the truck was headed for Louis Trichardt at the time of the accident.

He said the names of the deceased would be released as soon as their next of kin had beem informed.

Still in Polokwane, another accident happened on the road between Dendron and Polokwane a few hours after the first incident.

According to the road and transport department a taxi ferrying people to Dendron overturned and plunged into the bushes on the side of the road - killing one passenger instantly.

The driver of the taxi sustained minor injuries and was taken to the nearest hospital, where he was treated and released.