Vaal Crash Driver Ayanda Dludla Faces Death Threats Ahead of Bail Ruling on 9 September

• Investigating officer Lucille Radloff told the court that Dludla faces severe safety risks, including direct death threats, if released on bail
• An armed individual attempted to attack Dludla while he was hospitalised in January, with family members stepping in to intervene
• The State raised concerns about Dludla's disclosed learning disorder, arguing it could affect his decision-making and lead to further offences

VANDERBIJLPARK — A court has heard that scholar transport driver Ayanda Dludla, who faces 14 counts of murder following a crash that killed 14 children in the Vaal, could be in serious danger if granted bail.

According to News24, investigating officer Lucille Radloff delivered testimony to the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court on 4 September 2026 during a fresh bail application brought on the basis of new facts. Dludla, who also faces additional traffic-related charges linked to the fatal collision, made the bail bid from custody.

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Death threats and safety risks

Radloff told the court that public outrage on social media had escalated to the point where individuals had issued direct death threats against Dludla, warning that he would be killed upon release. She further testified that an armed person attempted to attack him while he was receiving hospital treatment in January, and that only the intervention of family members prevented the assault.

The threats extended to Dludla's father, Jimmy Vinger, who was reportedly forced to abandon his home after community members threatened to kill him and set the property alight.

Mental capacity argument divides court

In his bail affidavit, Dludla maintained that the crash was an unavoidable accident and that he had no reason to harm the children, whom he described as people he cared for deeply. Prosecutor Titus Daniso raised the matter of a learning disorder disclosed by Dludla, arguing that the condition could compromise his judgement and increase the risk of him committing further Schedule 1 offences.

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Defence attorney Reward Nxumalo pushed back against this position, arguing that denying bail on the basis of a disability would amount to unconstitutional discrimination in violation of Dludla's rights. The magistrate has reserved judgment on the bail application. A ruling is expected on 9 September.

View a post about his appearance:

Family members mourn Vanderbijlpark accident victims

In a related article, Briefly News reported on the tragic accident in Vanderbijlpark that resulted in the deaths of two matriculants, Thato Mcira and Sagwadi Mathe. As families mourn the loss of their beloved daughters, they demand accountability for the reckless driving that led to this heartbreaking incident.

Source: Briefly News