Johannesburg – Twenty-three-year-old scholar transport driver, Ayanda Dludla, who crashed his taxi, killing 14 schoolchildren, has been granted bail of R3 000 by the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court.
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 (PrDP), and operating an unlicensed motor vehicle.
Allegations are that on 19 January 2026, the accused was transporting 17 schoolchildren in a minibus taxi on the R553 Golden Highway when his minibus taxi collided head-on with an oncoming truck.
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The collision resulted in the deaths of 14 learners, while three others sustained injuries.
National Prosecuting Authority Spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, that the State opposed the accused’s release on bail.
However, the court found that it was in the interests of justice to grant Dludla bail, subject to several conditions.
Dludla is required to report to the Vanderbijlpark Police Station every Friday, is prohibited from driving any motor vehicle until the finalisation of the case, must reside at his mother’s residence unless authorised by the investigating officer to do otherwise, and may not interfere with witnesses.
In addition, should he wish to communicate an apology to the families of the deceased learners, such communication may only take place through the investigating officer.
The matter was postponed to 9 to 17 November 2026 for trial.
