The owner of the minibus taxi involved in the devastating Vaal crash has spoken publicly for the first time, sharing his pain and defending his son after one of the deadliest scholar transport tragedies in recent years.
The crash occurred on Monday, 19 January 2026, near Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng, when a minibus taxi transporting learners collided with a side-tipper truck. Fourteen young learners lost their lives, while several others were left injured. The incident sent shockwaves across the country and reignited urgent calls for improved scholar transport safety.
Ayanda Dludla (22), who was driving the taxi at the time of the crash, has since been charged with 14 counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. In addition, he faces charges of operating a vehicle without the required certificate and driving without a valid permit. His arrest has drawn widespread condemnation from the public, with many demanding accountability and justice for the families of the victims.
Ayanda’s father, Jimmy Vinger, who is also the owner of the taxi, has now spoken out about the tragedy and his son’s involvement. In an interview with the Sunday Times, Vinger described the moment he received a call from his son after the crash and the unbearable task of informing parents that their children had died.
Vinger, who serves as the Deputy Chairperson of the Gauteng Education Transport Services and is a pastor at the African Immanuel Assemblies of God church, strongly denied allegations that his son was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. He described Ayanda as disciplined and respectful, insisting that reports portraying him as reckless or intoxicated were untrue.
“He is a good boy,” Vinger said. “Everything being said about him is lies. He is humble, calm, and does not drink alcohol.”
Despite defending his son, Vinger admitted that the emotional toll of the tragedy has been overwhelming. He said he has largely stayed at home since the incident, unsure of how to face the public amid the grief and anger surrounding the crash. However, he acknowledged the support he has received from members of the community, who have visited him to offer comfort and prayers.
It also emerged during the interview that two of Vinger’s children were involved in the crash and survived. Ayanda was driving the taxi, while his sister, who was travelling to school, was the only other survivor. Vinger revealed that his two younger daughters, who usually use the same transport, did not attend school that day — a decision that ultimately spared their lives.
Vinger further shared that he had only reconnected with Ayanda in the past two years and that employing him as a driver was part of rebuilding their relationship.
Meanwhile, the Vaal community continues to mourn the lives lost. Hundreds of residents attended a candlelight vigil in honour of the learners, where prayers, songs, and messages of remembrance filled the night. Community leaders and faith groups used the gathering to call for unity, compassion, and stricter enforcement of scholar transport regulations to prevent future tragedies.
As court proceedings continue, the nation watches closely, hoping for justice, accountability, and lasting change in the safety of children travelling to and from school.
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