VANDERBIJLPARK.– The man arrested following the gruesome taxi crash that claimed the lives of 14 pupils from various schools in Vanderbijlpark appeared briefly at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court today.

Ayanda Dludla (22), who was initially charged with culpable homicide, now faces 14 counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and three other charges of contravening the traffic act. In a packed gallery, scores of families of the deceased gathered to listen in on the matter. Rising from the cells, Dludla, who was wearing a white t-shirt, faced the ground and spoke softly while the proceedings happened.

Dludla was offered a state lawyer after he claimed he had a private one, but was not in attendance.

Speaking to the media outside court, National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana explained the reason for the change in charges.

“The accused appeared today, and he is facing 14 counts of murder. Initially, the charge was culpable homicide, but when the state perused the docket and the evidence that was in the docket, we found that we had prima facie evidence to charge him with murder,” she said.

Despite dash cam footage supplied as evidence, the court has moved the next appearance to March 5, claiming they are investigating further.

“We still need to find other evidence, such as postmortem results and statements from eyewitnesses, hence the prolonged postponement,” she added.

Two more children who were in the hospital passed away, raising the death toll to 14.

Education spokesperson, Steve Mabona, reacted to the saddening news.

“It’s quite sad indeed, and we continue to support those who are still in hospital. We have two children who are still in the hospital,” he said.
Meanwhile, a memorial service will be held at the Saul Tsotetsi Sport Centre in Zone 14 to honour the deceased.

Mabona said their department has not concluded on a mass funeral as some families want to bury this coming Saturday.