'This was not a mistake - 14 children are gone,' says grieving family after Vaal crash driver abandons bail

The family of one of the 14 pupils killed in a devastating scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark says they remain shattered, especially after viewing a viral video of the accident, and believes both the driver and the vehicle owner must be held accountable.

Themba Radebe, speaking on behalf of the family of the late Busisiwe Radebe, who was a Grade 11 learner at Hoerskool Vanderbijlpark.

Radebe addressed the media outside the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where 22-year-old driver Ayanda Dludla made his first court appearance.

Dludla, the scholar transport driver accused of causing the crash, faces 14 counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. 

He abandoned his bail application and is expected to return to court on March 5.

Radebe said the family was heartbroken but accepting of their loss.

“We can’t complain. We believe everything happens for a reason,” he said. 

“But let this be a lesson to every taxi owner and every driver to be very cautious, to introspect and to monitor their vehicles.”

He said the tragedy should serve as a warning to the taxi and scholar transport industry.

“This must go to the taxi industry to understand how serious this matter is, because we lost not only time, but we lost 14 lives,” Radebe said.

He criticised the owner of the scholar transport vehicle, alleging negligence.

“I feel that the owner of the car was reckless not to introspect that the disc was expired. As owners, before handing over a vehicle, you must ensure that it is roadworthy,” he said.

“This is not a mistake. If you know the disc is not valid, why give the car out? This is going to happen again.”

Families of the deceased learners filled the courtroom as Dludla, who bore a visible scar on his forehead, appeared before the magistrate.

Reacting to seeing Dludla in court, Radebe said the viral video of the crash had deeply affected him.

“I was fine, but after seeing the video, I broke down,” he said. 

“It’s not only about the person I’m representing here. It’s about all the children. You can imagine how the other families feel.”

He added that no words or court outcome could undo the loss.

“Talking will never bring each and every soul back,” Radebe said.

He called on authorities and transport owners to take responsibility to prevent similar tragedies.

“We can’t only blame the driver. The owner must take accountability as well. He was part and parcel of this tragic event,” he said, adding that the owner of the private school transport should also face legal consequences.

“In my opinion, the owner should also be in jail,” he said.

Asked whether the upgrade of charges from culpable homicide to murder brought any consolation, Radebe said it made no difference to the families’ pain.

“A funeral is a funeral. Nothing will ever fix this. We need the kids back,” he said. “It doesn’t make it easier, but law is law, and we will abide by it.”

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said there was sufficient evidence to support the murder charges.

“When we perused the docket, we found prima facie evidence to charge the accused with murder as opposed to culpable homicide,” she said. 

“These are very serious charges, and there is a case the accused must answer.”

The crash, which occurred on Monday, involved a scholar transport vehicle and a truck, sending shockwaves across Gauteng and the country. 

Fourteen learners died, while others were injured. 

Three pupils remain in hospital receiving medical treatment.

Gauteng police confirmed that Dludla was arrested after being discharged from hospital, where he was treated following the crash. 

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said the truck driver escaped unharmed, while the truck’s passenger sustained injuries and is also receiving medical care.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collision are ongoing.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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