Vanderbijlpark scholar transport crash: Driver abandons bail bid

The driver at the centre of the deadly scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark has abandoned his bail application.

22-year-old Ayanda Dludla appeared briefly before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates Court, where the State confirmed he faces additional charges.

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Twelve children lost their lives in the crash after he attempted an illegal overtake manoeuvre on Monday morning. Two others have since died in hospital.

In addition to the 14 counts of murder, the driver also faces three counts of attempted murder and one count of driving without a valid professional driving permit.

Dludla kept his head down throughout court proceedings, speaking softly and offering no reaction as the State outlined the seriousness of the case against him.

The courtroom was packed to capacity, with grieving family members and community members filling the gallery, some forced to stand along the walls as proceedings got underway.

Magistrate Claudia Venter said, “5 March 2026, that will be for further investigations. You are in custody and stay in custody.”

Police investigations continue with detectives piecing together evidence of the crash.