Vaal crash driver accused of killing 14 pupils wants psychological assistance

Ayanda Dludla at Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court for the Vaal scholar transport crash. Picture: Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo Scholar transport driver Ayanda “Biggie” Dludla, 22, appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, facing 14 counts of murder linked to the deaths of pupils in the January 2026 accident. The tragic crash sent shockwaves across the country and left multiple families grieving the loss of their children.

Dludla also faces additional charges of reckless and negligent driving. During court proceedings, Dludla’s lawyer, Reward Nxumalo, told the court his client wished to apologise to the affected families. “If given the opportunity, he would apologise to each and every affected family,” Nxumalo told the court.

One of the grieving families lost two children in the crash. Dludla has abandoned his bail application, meaning he will remain in custody while the case continues. Nxumalo also told the court that his client urgently requires psychological assistance following the incident. “The accused urgently needs psychological support,” Nxumalo said.