UPDATE: Johannesburg, January 24, 2026
The nation’s grief has deepened with confirmation that the death toll from the Vanderbijlpark scholar transport tragedy has risen to 14. Two more young learners, both promising matric pupils, have succumbed to their injuries — transforming a story of shocking negligence into one of profound personal loss and dashed futures.
The 22-year-old driver, Ayanda Dludla, made his first court appearance on Thursday, January 22, where prosecutors delivered a stunning new allegation: they will argue the crash was a deliberate act. His charges have been upgraded to 14 counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.
The updated list of charges reflects the latest, heartbreaking developments in a case that has exposed systemic failures in scholar transport safety.
The 13th and 14th Victims: Dreams Interrupted
The rising toll represents far more than a statistic — it’s a crushing final chapter for two families and a nation that has lost immense potential.
Thato Moetji was in her matric year at Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark. After the crash, she fought for her life in hospital, while her family clung to hope for her recovery. They dreamed of seeing her complete her final exams, attend her matric dance, and step into the future she had worked tirelessly toward. Her death, her family says, is an especially painful loss — one they believe was entirely preventable, the result of a reckless decision by an allegedly unlicensed driver.
Based on recent reports, Seqwadi Mathe, also a 16-year-old Grade 12 learner at Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark, tragically lost her life in the early hours of Thursday, January 22. Mathe and Moetji were reportedly close friends, sharing the same school and the same dreams for their matric year. Both had looked forward to completing their final exams and attending their matric dance — milestones their families will now remember as dreams left unfulfilled.
Together, Moetji and Mathe’s death underscores the devastating scale of a collision that has left multiple families shattered and a community struggling to comprehend its loss.
They join 12 other young learners officially remembered by the Gauteng Department of Education, which noted in a solemn statement:
“You were the future of our province.”
The department listed the names of the other victims, who ranged from Grade 1 to Grade 11, attending seven different schools across the Vaal region.
Further coverage on the psychological toll across schools can be found here: Trauma Counsellors Deployed to 7 Vaal Schools After Transport Tragedy.
A stunning allegation in court
The legal case took a dramatic and grave turn during Dludla’s first appearance at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) presented an argument that shifts the entire narrative of the crash.
Prosecutors allege that Dludla intentionally rammed his vehicle into a truck, forming the basis for the upgraded murder charges.
- Official Position: NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana stated, “The evidence that is on the docket proves that there was intention, hence the charge is now murder.”
- Court Proceedings: Dludla has abandoned his bid for bail and will remain in custody. The case was postponed to March 5, 2026, for further investigation.
- Additional Charges: He also faces charges of driving without a valid Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) and operating an unlicensed vehicle — both long-standing concerns in South Africa’s scholar transport sector.
A nationwide crisis demands action
This tragedy is not an isolated incident but part of a deep-rooted national crisis in school transport safety.
- A Deadly Pattern: Statistics South Africa reports that over 800 schoolchildren died in scholar transport-related crashes between 2018 and 2022.
- Systemic Failure: A damning report by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), released the same day as the Vaal crash, found that scholar transport conditions in the North West province violate basic human rights — particularly for children from poor and rural backgrounds.
- Human Error: Authorities estimate that nearly 80% of road crashes are caused by human behaviour, with many drivers described as “chance-takers”.
For a glimpse into previous enforcement action, read: JMPD impounds four scholar transport vehicles.
Path forward: Demanding change
In the wake of the tragedy, road safety advocates, psychologists, and community representatives are calling for concrete action beyond condolences.
- For Survivors and Families: Clinical psychologist Dr Keitumetse Mashego warns that surviving children may experience severe trauma and survivor’s guilt, requiring long-term psychological support.
- For Communities and Schools: Matakanye Matakanye of the National Association of School Governing Bodies urges parents and schools to enforce one simple rule — never allow a child into an unroadworthy vehicle or one driven by an unlicensed driver. He also calls for clearly marked scholar transport vehicles to enable community monitoring.
- For Authorities: As an editorial from Wits Vuvuzela noted, “Road stops after such a tragedy are not enough; enforcement must be consistent and uncompromising, not just reactive.”
In memoriam
As the country reels from this loss, the focus remains on the 14 young lives cut short and the families navigating unimaginable grief.
The tragedy in Vanderbijlpark has become a horrific catalyst, forcing South Africa to confront the deadly cost of negligence — and the urgent, non-negotiable need to protect its children on every journey to school.
How to ensure your child’s rransport is safe
The Vanderbijlpark tragedy is a devastating reminder for all parents and guardians. While systemic change is essential, experts recommend these immediate steps:
- Check the Driver’s Credentials: Ensure the driver has a valid Professional Driving Permit (PrDP).
- Inspect the Vehicle: Look for visible signs of disrepair — bald tires, broken lights, excessive damage.
- Report Overloading: If a vehicle exceeds its seating capacity, report it to the school or local authorities.
- Empower Your Child: Teach your child to speak up if they feel unsafe.
- Use Collective Power: Organize with other parents to vet transport providers and demand compliance.
ALSO READ: 2026 School Calendar for Public Schools: All Terms and Holidays Explained.
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