Vanderbijlpark Accident: Driver Faces 14 Murder Charges After Deadly Scholar Transport Crash
The 22-year-old scholar transport driver accused of causing the deadly Vaal crash that has claimed the lives of 14 learners made a brief appearance in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Ayanda “Biggie” Dludla faces multiple serious charges linked to the fatal collision, with the court postponing the matter to 5 March 2026 to allow for further investigations.
Also Read: Thirteen Primary School Students Die After Overloaded School Minibus Collides with Truck
Bail abandoned as families look on
Dludla chose to abandon his bail application, a decision that brought visible relief to grieving families gathered outside the courthouse.
As a result, the court ruled that he will remain in custody until his next appearance, a move welcomed by community members who feared he could be released while investigations were still ongoing.
Fourteen counts of murder laid
The driver is facing 14 counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and additional charges including driving without a valid Professional Driving Permit and operating an unlicensed public transport vehicle.
The charges follow confirmation by the Gauteng Department of Education that two more learners died in hospital during the early hours of Thursday, bringing the death toll to 14.
Victims identified by education authorities
The department has released the names of the 12 learners who died at the scene of the crash. The children attended various schools in and around the Vaal, including Rockland Primary and El-Shaddai Christian School.
Five learners were initially hospitalised following the collision. Two later succumbed to their injuries, while one learner has since been discharged.
Shocking safety failures uncovered
Investigations have revealed serious safety breaches, including that the minibus was carrying 18 passengers despite being licensed for only 14.
Police also confirmed that Dludla’s Professional Driving Permit expired in November 2025 and that the vehicle was not licensed to operate as public transport at the time of the crash.
Dashcam footage under scrutiny
Dashcam footage from the truck involved in the collision is expected to play a key role in the case. The video reportedly shows the minibus travelling in the wrong lane with sufficient time to correct course before the impact, but failing to do so.
Authorities are still analysing the footage as part of a full accident reconstruction.
Flipcash is Your Trusted PayPal & Crypto Exchange Partner in Zimbabwe — WhatsApp +263 77 163 9263
The post Vanderbijlpark Accident: Driver Faces 14 Murder Charges After Deadly Scholar Transport Crash appeared first on iHarare News.
