By Paleas Matlala
- Ayanda Dludla, 22, faces 14 murder charges after a scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark killed 14 learners and injured others earlier this year.
- The Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court postponed the case to 22 April 2026 while the accused’s lawyers seek psychological or psychiatric help for him.
A young driver accused of causing one of the deadliest scholar transport crashes in Gauteng says he is struggling to cope.
Ayanda Dludla, 22, appeared briefly in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 5 March 2026.
Dludla faces serious charges after a crash in Vanderbijlpark that killed 14 learners and left several others injured.
The court postponed the case to 22 April 2026 so police can continue their investigation.
During his previous court appearance, Dludla abandoned his bail application because he feared for his safety.
Families of the learners who died filled the public gallery during the hearing. Many sat quietly as the case was heard.
Dludla’s legal team told the court that their client is deeply remorseful about what happened.
His lawyer said Dludla is battling to deal with the tragedy.
“He is not coping and as his legal team we are exploring options to secure psychological or psychiatric assistance for our client as the case unfolds,” the defence told the court.
But the families of the learners who died say they want justice and a quick end to the case.
One grieving father said seeing the accused in court was painful.
“I felt hurt when I saw him in that dock. I feel like this matter can quickly end, that is all I wish for. I do not want the case to drag, he must just be sentenced.”
Police arrested Dludla in January after the crash between a scholar transport vehicle and a truck.
The crash shocked the country and raised concerns about safety in the scholar transport industry.
After the tragedy, the government launched an impound operation targeting illegal and unsafe scholar transport vehicles.
Officials arrested about 66 drivers on various charges during the crackdown.
In recent weeks, scholar transport drivers from the Greater Gauteng Scholar Transport group marched to Mary Fitzgerald Square in Johannesburg.
They handed a memorandum to Gauteng roads and transport Member of the Executive Council Kedibone Diale-Tlabela.
Dludla now faces 14 counts of murder, four counts of attempted murder, reckless driving and driving without a valid professional driving permit.
He will return to the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on 22 April 2026.
Pictured above: Ayanda Dludla, accused in the deadly Vaal scholar transport crash appears in court.
Image source: Supplied.
