Scholar Transport Crash: Driver Faces 14 Murder Charges

Ayanda Dludla, faces 14 counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and charges of driving without a valid permit and driving an unlicensed vehicle.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian

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Ayanda Dludla, the 22-year-old driver involved in the Vanderbijlpark crash that claimed 14 school pupils' lives, appeared in court on Thursday.

He faces 14 counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and charges of driving without a valid permit and driving an unlicensed vehicle.

The crash occurred on Monday when Dludla's scholar transport vehicle collided head-on with a truck on the R553 Golden Highway, transporting 16 pupils.

Two pupils injured in the crash died in hospital, bringing the death toll to 14. The pupils who died were in grades 1 to 11.

Dludla was arrested on a charge of culpable homicide, but this was changed to murder when he appeared in court.

He elected not to be released on bail, and the matter was postponed to March 5 for further investigation.

The National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, stated that the evidence suggests intention, leading to the murder charges.

The investigation revealed that Dludla's driving permit had expired, and the vehicle was unlicensed.