Former Sekhukhune United footballer Mokete “Shaune” Mogaila has been convicted in connection with the fatal Tembisa crash that claimed the life of nine-year-old Gomolemo Mavimbela.
Mogaila appeared in the Tembisa Magistrates’ Court on Monday, where he pleaded guilty to culpable homicide and failing to remain at the scene of the accident.
The crash happened on 30 October 2024 on Andrew Mapheto Drive in Tembisa. Mogaila’s vehicle veered into oncoming traffic and collided with a vehicle carrying Gomolemo, her mother and a 13-year-old boy.
Gomolemo died in the crash, while her mother and the teenage boy sustained serious injuries and spent an extended period in hospital.
In his plea statement, Mogaila admitted that he negligently caused or contributed to the collision and that he failed to render assistance to the injured people before leaving the scene.
He later handed himself over to police on the day of the crash. At the time, authorities also reported that alcohol and suspected drugs were found in his vehicle, although those allegations are separate from the guilty plea now recorded before court.
The case has been before court for almost two years, with several postponements as investigations continued.
Mogaila’s conviction brings the criminal proceedings closer to an end, but he has not yet been sentenced.
The matter has been postponed to 17 November 2026 for sentencing proceedings, while his bail has been extended.
Gomolemo’s father, Tshepo Kekana, said he felt some relief that Mogaila had pleaded guilty and that the matter was finally moving forward, although he indicated that the plea did not provide complete satisfaction for the family.
