[SCHOLAR TRANSPORT DRIVER FACES MULTIPLE MURDER CHARGES, ABANDONS BAIL]
A 22-year-old scholar transport driver, Ayanda Dludla, appeared before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court, where he abandoned his bail application.
Dludla faces 14 counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, as well as charges of operating a motor vehicle without a certificate of fitness, driving without a professional driving permit, and operating an unlicensed motor vehicle.
It is alleged that on 19 January 2026, the accused was driving a scholar transport vehicle on the R553 Golden Highway, transporting 16 learners, when he allegedly collided head-on with an oncoming truck. The collision resulted in the deaths of 14 learners, while two learners and the truck driver sustained injuries.
In court, the accused elected not to be released on bail. The matter was postponed to 05 March 2026 for further investigations.
