The driver of a truck that allegedly caused a multi-vehicle pile up which left two people dead on the N12 East on Tuesday has been arrested, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters said.
"The driver has been arrested and the preliminary report indicates that the accident was caused by brake failure of the truck," Peters said.
Earlier, paramedics revised the number of people injured in the accident.
Netcare 911 spokeswoman Santi Steinmann said apart from the two killed, three people sustained critical injuries when the truck crashed into scores of vehicles in Alberton, south-east of Johannesburg.
Seventeen other people sustained serious to moderate injuries.
Two heavy trucks and 45 cars were involved in the accident, which happened on the N12 East near Voortrekker Road.
The road has been blocked off at the Comaro Street off-ramp as a result of the accident.
Johannesburg metro police Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said motorists were advised to use the M1, M2, or use Xavier Street or Kliprivier Road as exit routes to avoid the traffic congestion.
Prior to the updated information being released, ER24 said 54 people were injured in the accident.
"A petrol tanker had apparently lost control and collided with the multiple vehicles," spokesman Russel Meiring said in a statement.
"The driver of the petrol tanker told paramedics that his brakes had apparently failed, causing him to collide with... multiple vehicles."
The accident happened around 7.30am.
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