Ayanda Dludla, 22, appeared in the same court on Friday, where his fresh bail application was heard. He faces 14 counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, reckless and negligent driving, driving without a professional driving permit and operating an unlicensed motor vehicle.

Dludla abandoned his initial bail application in January, shortly after the crash, but has now approached the court again on new facts. The state has opposed bail for Dludla, warning that his release could put his life at risk amid ongoing anger over the crash. The defence maintained there were no credible threats and that he should be allowed to prepare for his trial outside custody.

‘My client is not a flight risk and will comply with bail conditions’

The accident occurred three days after schools reopened, when a Toyota Quantum carrying learners collided with a side-tipper truck on the R553 Golden Highway. Eleven learners died at the scene, while three others later succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

“The investigating officer says there were death threats and that a man was holding a knife and tried to kill the accused,” said Dludla’s attorney Reward Nxumalo. “We are not aware of that situation, and we were never informed of it.

“If there was an imminent death threat, they would have killed his father a long time ago. The fact that he is attending court and is still alive shows there are no death threats. If released on bail, my client will report to the Sebokeng Police Station.

“My client is not a flight risk and will comply with any conditions imposed by the court. The fact that my client has a learning disorder does not prevent him from being a part of society, and it should not be used as a reason to deny him bail.”

Innocentia Vinger, whose daughter Ofentse, 6, was among the 14 learners killed in the crash, said the accused driver should take accountability for the children’s deaths. She said the bail application has left grieving parents feeling that there has been no acknowledgement of the role the driver allegedly played in the tragedy.

“It is painful to watch him seek his freedom while the families continue to live with the loss of their children. The pain remains particularly difficult as my daughter’s seventh birthday is coming. What am I going to do next week?”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

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