Scholar transport driver abandons bail as charges get upgraded to murder

Zuko Komisa

Ayanda Dludla withdrew his bail application during his appearance at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
The NPA has upgraded the initial culpable homicide charges to 14 counts of murder based on prima facie evidence.
Dludla, whose driving permit had expired a year ago, will now be represented by Legal Aid during his next appearance.

The court session saw a brief delay as Dludla initially appeared without legal counsel. He has since been assigned a representative from Legal Aid.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that while the investigation began as a culpable homicide case, the gravity of the evidence found in the police docket necessitated a shift to murder charges.

Alongside the 14 murder counts, Dludla faces three counts of attempted murder and charges for driving an unlicensed vehicle without a valid Professional Driving Permit (PDP).

The scholar transport driver linked to the deaths of 14 learners has made his first appearance at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court.

Ayanda Dludla (22) faces 14 counts of murder, 3 counts of attempted murder, and reckless and negligent driving, among other charges, relating… pic.twitter.com/OXVaPFaF7P

— Kaya News (@KayaNews) January 22, 2026

The charges stem from Monday’s devastating head-on collision between a scholar transport vehicle and a heavy truck on the R553 Golden Highway.

The crash resulted in the immediate deaths of 14 school-aged children.

Dludla was taken into police custody shortly after being discharged from the hospital where he was treated for injuries sustained in the wreck.

Authorities have confirmed that the driver’s legal authority to transport passengers for reward had expired in 2025.

The case has been postponed until 5 March 2026 for further investigation.