A scholar transport driver accused of the murder of 14 children who died in a crash in the Vaal in January has been granted R3 000 bail by the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court.
Ayanda Dludla—charged following the collision that killed the learners and sparked widespread public outcry—was released on Wednesday after the court accepted his renewed bail application based on new facts.
The case was postponed to 9 November for trial proceedings.
Dludla had previously abandoned a bid for bail in January, but he returned to court this week with a fresh application. His charges include 14 counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and additional driving-related offences.
He is facing one count of driving without a professional driving permit, one count of driving an unlicensed vehicle, and one count of reckless and negligent driving.
Dashcam footage of the incident, which emerged as part of the case material, showed that Dludla was driving straight into oncoming traffic towards a truck.
The State opposed Dludla’s release on bail. Prosecutors argued that the broader public reaction to the case—along with demands that he should not be granted bail—should weigh heavily against his release.
The State also contended that there had been a series of posts on social media warning that Dludla would be killed if he were ever released.
Despite the State’s opposition, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the court found that it was in the interest of justice to grant bail, but subject to several strict conditions.
In a statement released on Wednesday night, the NPA said the court imposed the following requirements on Dludla:
- He must report to the Vanderbijlpark police station every Friday.
- He is prohibited from driving any motor vehicle until the case is finalised.
- He must reside at his mother’s residence unless the investigating officer authorises him to do otherwise.
- He may not interfere with witnesses.
The NPA added that Dludla may only communicate an apology to the families of the deceased learners through the investigating officer.
“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,” NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said.
The conditions underline that while bail was granted, the court sought to limit any risk of witness intimidation, ensure proper monitoring, and prevent Dludla from continuing any activity that could put the public at further risk.
For the families and the wider community, the decision has continued to draw intense attention, particularly because of the scale of the alleged wrongdoing and the number of victims involved. The case remains one of the most serious matters to reach the courts following a Vaal crash in January, and it will now move towards trial scheduled for early November.
As the matter returns to court in November, the investigation and prosecution will continue preparing for trial, while Dludla will remain under the restrictions imposed by the court until the case is finalised.
