A devastating tragedy struck the Vaal area of GAUTENG on January 19, 2026, when a scholar transport accident claimed the lives of 14 children near Vanderbijlpark. This video brings you the names, photos, and details of the victims, highlighting the profound loss felt by the community. The 22-year-old taxi driver, Ayanda Dludla, faces 14 counts of murder, along with charges of attempted murder, reckless driving, and operating an unlicensed vehicle without a professional driving permit.
We delve into the heart-wrenching stories of the children who perished, including Buhle Radebe, Bokamoso Mokhobo, and Sibongile Madonsela from Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark. We also remember young Ofentse Jayden Vinger, a Grade 1 learner at Oliver Lodge Primary School, and Phehello Motaung, an 18-year-old from El-Shaddai Christian School, whose family also lost his younger brother, Lesego Sefatsa.
The video explores the chaotic aftermath of the crash, featuring accounts from Lebo Maqekwane, the uncle of Ofentse Jayden Vinger, who describes the families' frustration at the accident scene. We examine the legal proceedings against Ayanda Dludla and the community's demand for justice.
Furthermore, we address the systemic issues that contributed to this tragedy, including the dangerous practice of overloading scholar transport vehicles. We also examine the government's response, including the intensification of law enforcement operations announced by Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa.
Dr Siyabulela Fobosi, a senior researcher at the University of Fort Hare, provides a critical perspective, arguing that the deaths were not merely an "accident" but a result of regulatory gaps and a failure to uphold the children's constitutional right to education.
This documentary aims to honour the lives of the 14 learners lost and shed light on the urgent need for safer scholar transport policies in South Africa.
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