South African police on Saturday apologized to the Japanese embassy in South Africa after a report on Friday night incorrectly identified the driver of a diplomatic car in a fatal accident as being Japanese. In fact the driver was Malaysian, South African police spokesman Lesiba Kgwele said on Saturday. The South African Press Association (SAPA) said that the car hit and killed a pedestrian on Bakwena highway near Brits in South Africa's North West province. 'The initial reports from the traffic department identified the man as Japanese...We apologize to the Japanese embassy for the error and any inconvenience caused by the report,' Kgwele said. 'The vehicle's registration plate showed it was definitely a diplomatic car.' SAPA said a South African man was crossing the road when he was hit by the Mercedes-Benz on Friday. The man died on impact, Kgwele said. Kgwele added that the driver had cooperated with police. A case of culpable homicide was being investigated. The accident was one of six reported after Thursday night's Japan vs Denmark match in Rustenburg. SAPA reported that earlier on Saturday, the Japanese embassy in Pretoria expressed concern about the reports, saying they did not know the vehicle involved and that none of their diplomats was involved in the accident. 