A 23-year-old scholar transport driver accused of killing 14 learners in a Vanderbijlpark crash has been granted R3,000 bail.
Ayanda Dludla has also been banned from driving any motor vehicle until the case is finalised.
Dludla was granted bail on Wednesday by the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court, despite the state opposing his release.
He faces 14 counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and charges of operating a motor vehicle without a certificate of fitness, driving without a professional driving permit (PrDP) and operating an unlicensed motor vehicle.
The crash occurred on January 19, 2026, when Dludla was allegedly transporting 17 learners in a scholar transport vehicle along the R553 Golden Highway.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson for the Gauteng Division, Pretoria, Lumka Mahanjana, the vehicle collided head-on with an oncoming truck.
Fourteen learners were killed and three others were injured.
Mahanjana said the court found that it was in the interests of justice to grant Dludla bail, subject to several conditions.
Dludla must report to the Vanderbijlpark Police Station every Friday and is prohibited from driving any motor vehicle until the case is finalised.
He must also reside at his mother’s residence unless authorised by the investigating officer to do otherwise and may not interfere with witnesses.
“If he wishes to communicate an apology to the families of the deceased learners, such communication may only take place through the investigating officer,” Mahanjana said.
The matter has been postponed to November 9-17, 2026, for trial.
The Gauteng Education Transport Services (GETS) previously confirmed that Dludla was operating a minibus linked to one of its associations. The organisation also acknowledged receiving complaints about his alleged reckless driving.
GETS chairperson Matthews Mokhachane condemned reckless driving and poor conduct by scholar transport operators.
“These things never happened before, but nowadays we find drivers doing all sorts of shenanigans,” Mokhachane said.
He confirmed that Dludla was driving a vehicle belonging to one of GETS’ affiliated associations but stressed that Dludla himself was not a member.
“Ayanda was driving a vehicle that belongs to one of our associations, but he is not a member. His employer is the member,” Mokhachane said. “Being employed does not automatically make you a member of the organisation.”
Mokhachane said Dludla appeared on GETS records as a driver but was not registered as a member.
He also confirmed that Dludla’s father holds a senior position within the organisation.
“He is not the chairperson of GETS,” Mokhachane said.
“He is the deputy chairperson at regional level in the Sedibeng region.”
Mokhachane acknowledged that he had heard reports that Dludla had previously been reprimanded for reckless driving.
“Yes, I’ve heard that he was reprimanded before,” he said. “But I can neither confirm nor deny that he was driving recklessly before this accident because I had not personally observed him.”
He also raised concerns about overloading in the scholar transport industry, describing it as a complex issue.
“We don’t encourage overloading, but our industry is very complex,” Mokhachane said, calling on transport authorities to engage with operators to address the challenges facing the sector.
Mokhachane said GETS represents more than 10,000 private scholar transport operators across Gauteng.
He said the association would introduce stricter controls following the crash.
“This accident is an eye-opener,” he said.
“We need strong policies and strict measures to clamp down on reckless driving and overloading.”
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
IOL News
