Vanderbijlpark Crash: Driver Charged With 14 Counts Of Murder After Learner Transport Tragedy

The 22-year-old driver linked to the devastating Vanderbijlpark crash that killed 14 school learners is now facing 14 counts of murder.

Ayanda Dludla was initially charged with culpable homicide, relating to negligently causing death, following the fatal collision.

However, during his first appearance at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Thursday morning, the National Prosecuting Authority confirmed that the charges had been upgraded to murder.

Vanderbijlpark court appearance draws heavy police presence

Dludla also faces an additional charge of attempted murder, as well as charges for driving without a valid permit and operating an unlicensed vehicle.

When IOL News arrived at court, a strong police presence was visible outside the building. Nearby, members of political parties, civil society organisations and residents from the local community gathered in solidarity with the victims’ families. Some held placards reading, “We condemn reckless driving”.

Earlier on Thursday, Gauteng police confirmed that two more learners had died after succumbing to their injuries, pushing the death toll from the crash to 14.

Vanderbijlpark Crash: Investigation continues as transport safety concerns resurface

The crash, which has sent shockwaves across Gauteng and the rest of the country, involved a scholar transport vehicle and a truck.

Police said on Tuesday that Dludla was arrested after being discharged from hospital, where he had been treated for injuries sustained in the collision. Officers visited hospitals and the mortuary to confirm the number of fatalities and injured victims.

Masondo previously confirmed that the truck driver was not injured, while a passenger sustained injuries and remains in hospital.

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Police investigations are ongoing, with authorities collecting witness statements and examining the events that led up to the crash. The exact cause of the accident has not yet been officially determined.

The tragedy has prompted the call for stricter traffic law enforcement and tighter monitoring of learner transport services, considering that the last quarter of 2025 saw not less than two incidents where school transport buses crashed.

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