The Gauteng Education Transport Services (GETS) has revealed that Ayanda Dludla, the 22-year-old driver accused of causing a fatal scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark, had previously been the subject of complaints for reckless driving. The tragic incident claimed the lives of 14 schoolchildren and left several others injured.
GETS chairperson Matthews Mokhachane shared the information outside the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where Dludla made his first appearance in connection with the deadly collision. The minibus taxi driven by Dludla collided with a truck on Monday, resulting in a devastating loss for families and the community.
Dludla currently faces 14 counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. Reports indicate that he has since withdrawn his bail application and is expected to return to court on 5 March to continue proceedings. Mokhachane stressed that GETS will not interfere with the judicial process, emphasizing the importance of allowing the legal system to determine the outcome.
“We don’t defend or interfere. We are letting the law take its course,” Mokhachane said. “If the person responsible is found guilty, the Constitution will take its course. As law-abiding citizens, our priority is the safety of our children.”
The chairperson also condemned reckless driving and any misconduct by drivers entrusted with the transport of schoolchildren. He noted that while such incidents were uncommon in the past, there has been a worrying rise in irresponsible behavior among some drivers in recent times.
Mokhachane clarified that although Dludla was operating a vehicle connected to one of GETS’ affiliated associations, he was not personally a registered member of the association. “Ayanda was driving a vehicle that belongs to one of our associations, but he himself is not a member. His employer is,” he explained.
The tragic crash has reignited concerns about the safety and regulation of scholar transport services in Gauteng. Questions have arisen regarding driver vetting processes, the monitoring of vehicles used for pupil transport, and the enforcement of road safety standards. Many in the community are demanding stricter oversight to prevent such avoidable tragedies from recurring.
Families of the victims and residents of Vanderbijlpark have expressed anger and grief, noting that the loss of young lives could have been prevented with stricter controls and better monitoring of drivers. The incident has sparked broader conversations about road safety, accountability, and the responsibility of organizations entrusted with transporting children.
GETS has urged parents and the public to remain vigilant and report any unsafe driving behavior immediately, reinforcing the message that the safety of children is paramount. Mokhachane concluded: “We must ensure that such tragedies do not happen again. Every child deserves to arrive safely at school and return home unharmed.”
The court case is expected to continue in the coming weeks as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, seeking justice for the victims and their families.
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