Six people died and one was injured in an accident involving two VW Polo cars and a truck on the R34 Memel Road near Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, on Saturday afternoon.
One of the cars burst into flames after the collision, trapping two people inside.
Authorities say the death toll is subject to change pending an investigation by the SAPS.
The Road Traffic Inspectorate and SAPS are investigating the cause of the accident. KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements Commissioner Siboniso Duma is urging motorists to be more careful during the busy winter holidays, warning that weekends are always the worst time on South African roads.