The family of a 9-year-old girl, Gomolemo Mavimbela, who tragically lost her life in a recent car accident in Thembisa, is demanding justice following the involvement of professional soccer player Shaun Mogaila. The incident, which has left the family devastated, occurred while Gomolemo’s mother was driving, resulting in her hospitalization alongside a 13-year-old boy.
Reports indicate that Mogaila’s vehicle, allegedly found at the scene, contained substances including cocaine, edibles, and expensive tequila. Eyewitnesses claim that Mogaila fled the scene but later surrendered to police.
Patrick Kekana, the family’s spokesperson and Gomolemo’s uncle, expressed the profound sorrow that the family is enduring. “We are really hurt by what happened,” Kekana stated. He emphasized that the emotional toll of the incident has been overwhelming, saying, “My heart has been racing since it happened.”
Mogaila, who plays as a right back and winger for Sekhukhune United, recently joined the club from Royal AM and has been regarded as a promising player. The family insists that Mogaila should face severe consequences for his actions. Kekana argued, “That guy must be sent to jail because he was drinking and driving. It’s illegal to drive under the influence in South Africa, and he should be punished.”
The family is also frustrated by the lack of communication from Mogaila or Sekhukhune United since the incident. “We haven’t heard anything from his family or his club,” Kekana noted.
Mogaila was scheduled to appear in the Thembisa Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, but his appearance was postponed due to the case not being ready for court. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane explained, “The docket brought to us by the South African Police Service was not court-ready.” As a result, the court has instructed the police to gather the necessary evidence before the case can proceed.
Mogaila is expected to return to court on Friday, where prosecutors will review the evidence and decide on the appropriate charges. “We will wait for the required material from the police to formulate the charges,” Mjonondwane added.
The community is rallying around Gomolemo’s family as they seek justice, highlighting the tragic impact of reckless behavior on families and lives. The case raises serious questions about accountability in cases of impaired driving, especially involving public figures like Mogaila.
As the family mourns their loss, they hope that the legal process will provide some measure of closure. The tragic incident underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of drunk driving laws to prevent similar occurrences in the future.