A thief has stolen a light aircraft, flying the plane for 90 minutes before making an emergency landing on a highway when it ran out of fuel, say South African police.

They say no cars were hit as the plane landed on the N4 highway near Pretoria and there appeared to be no damage to the plane.

He really knew what he was doing

Plane owner Carlos Garcia Cabral

Police had to clear the road to allow the Cessna's owner to take-off safely.

The joyrider escaped on foot.

"We have no idea who the suspect is," police spokesman Captain. Piletji Sebola told the South African Press Association.

One of the highway's two lanes was closed to traffic on Tuesday morning.

"I'm dumbstruck. He really knew what he was doing," Carlos Garcia Cabral, the plane's owner, told AP news agency.

The plane, which is normally used for skydiving, had been brought into Wonderboom airport in Pretoria on Sunday for routine maintenance.

Police and airport officials are investigating how the plane was stolen.