Police in Musina have opened a culpable homicide case after a two-year-old Zimbabwean toddler was killed while its mother was seriously injured after falling from the back of a speeding bakkie they were travelling in, police said.

SAPS spokeswoman for Musina Const Deborah Bob said the incident occurred on Friday, 7 September, at around 17:00 along the N1 Highway, about 4km outside the Beitbridge border post.

The vehicle was coming from Musina and heading towards Zimbabwe.

"The woman was travelling with her two-year-old baby boy after they were offered a lift in a bakkie, which was heading to Zimbabwe. Along the way, the vehicle bucked after hitting a bump, resulting in the victims’ falling headlong. The baby died on the spot," she said.

The toddler’s body was subsequently taken to Musina Government mortuary, while the mother was rushed to Polokwane Hospital after sustaining severe head injuries.

Bob said the driver then fled from the scene soon after the accident and police have since launched a manhunt. "We are appealing to community members to assist us with information which might lead to the arrest of the driver, who is now at large. As police we also would like to warn people against perching themselves precariously on the edges of bakkies as that is risky," said the police spokeswoman.

The two victims were spotted by other motorists, who then alerted the police.

Police are also appealing to relatives of the victims to contact the Musina police on 015 5347 400.