WATCH: Memorial for 14 children killed in Vaal crash

Grief and anger remains high among some families towards private scholar transport driver Ayanda Dludla, 22, who is accused of killing 14 pupils in a crash in Vanderbijlpark, as a memorial service is set to be held on Friday to honour the victims.

The memorial service will take place at 11am on Friday at the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Ground Hall in Sebokeng.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and members of the provincial executive council are expected to attend.

The crash, which sent shockwaves across Gauteng and reignited concerns over safety in the private scholar transport sector, occurred on Monday, January 19.

The Gauteng Education Transport Services (GETS) has since confirmed that Dludla was operating a minibus under the association and that it had previously received complaints about his alleged reckless driving.

GETS chairperson Matthews Mokhachane said that outside the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where Dludla made his first court appearance.

Dludla faces 14 counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder following the crash, which involved a scholar transport vehicle and a truck. 

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

On Thursday, Motiki Maphalla, the grandfather of Puleng Maphalla,17, a Grade 11 learner at El Shaddai Christian School who was among those killed - described her as a humble and devoted child.

“She was a very humble child, a churchgoer who loved church very much,” Maphalla said. 

“She was a child we could easily associate with. My heart is breaking.”

Maphalla recalled the morning Puleng left home for the last time.

“She woke up around 5am, bathed and prepared for school. Her father was upset because the taxi was five minutes late. It was a Monday, the second week of school, and he was worried she would be late,” he said.

“Soon after, the taxi arrived and she left. That was the last time we saw her alive.”

Maphalla said the family did not know the driver well.

“From the information I received, he usually picks the children up for school, but it seems there was someone before him. I do not know what happened. I also did not know he was that young,” he said.

He added that the family did not attend court proceedings because they were busy with funeral arrangements and did not want to aggravate their emotions.

“We were not interested in going to court just to see him,” Maphalla said.

“It would raise emotions. We are still angry about what happened, so it is better to keep to ourselves.”

On Thursday, Gauteng police confirmed that two more learners later died after succumbing to their injuries, bringing the total number of fatalities to 14.

Police said Dludla was arrested on Tuesday after being discharged from hospital, where he had been receiving treatment following the crash.

Meanwhile, a mass funeral for the pupils is expected to be held on Sunday, January 25, at the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Ground in Sebokeng.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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