South African President Thabo Mbeki escaped injury after his car was involved in an accident on the main road between Johannesburg and Pretoria on Monday morning.

Johannesburg police said the president was in the car when it was bumped from behind at about 0945 in heavy traffic near a junction.

Two of the drivers of other cars in the presidential entourage were slightly hurt.

The cause of the accident is unclear.

South Africa's roads are notoriously dangerous places, with speeding widespread, not enough traffic policemen to enforce laws and a high number of fatalities.

Inspector Wayne Minnaar said that Mr Mbeki had left the scene of the accident within half an hour, but traffic on the road remained badly congested.

Presidential representative Bheki Khumalo confirmed the accident.

"The president was not hurt and not affected by the accident at all," Mr Khumalo said.

"He is at the moment at Luthuli House in Johannesburg, attending a meeting and carrying on with his normal duties as head of the government and leader of the country."

He said the president's office would issue a full statement later in the day.