Tembisa – A horrific car accident involving Sekhukhune United soccer player Shaune Mogaila has left a community in mourning and a family devastated.
Nine-year-old Gomolemo Mavimbela tragically lost her life, while her mother, Kea Mavimbela (38), remains unconscious in intensive care, unaware of her daughter's death. The accident, which occurred on Wednesday morning just before 7am, has raised serious questions about road safety and the responsibilities of drivers.
Patrick Kekana, Kea Mavimbela's brother-in-law, confirmed to Sowetan that Kea remains unconscious and unaware of her daughter's passing. "She’s not talking or making any movements and she doesn’t know that her child is no more,” Kekana stated, highlighting the immense emotional toll this tragedy has taken on the family. The family is now grappling with the unimaginable task of informing Kea about her daughter's death once she regains consciousness.
The accident's aftermath was particularly harrowing for Kea's husband, Tshepo Kekana. He received a call from a metro police officer while at work, informing him of the accident and instructing him to go to the BRT bus station outside the Birch Acres mall. Upon arriving at the scene, he was confronted with the wreckage of his wife's car and the devastating sight of his daughter lying lifeless on the ground.
“There were a lot of people there. My wife was not there but my daughter was lying on the ground. It was shocking… it really broke my heart,” he recounted.
Remarkably, despite the immense pain and loss, Tshepo Kekana expressed a willingness to engage with Mogaila's family. He received a call from Mogaila's sister on the day of the accident, offering an apology.
"The [player’s] sister called me and told me that once they find him they will come and speak to us,” Tshepo explained.
Mogaila had initially fled the scene but later handed himself in at the Rabie Ridge police station in Midrand. His sister subsequently contacted Tshepo again to inform him of this development and reiterate their intention to speak with the family.
Tshepo's compassionate response reflects a remarkable level of understanding and forgiveness in the face of unimaginable grief.
"They can say whatever they want to say. They were not there so I don’t blame them. I just assume they want to apologise on [Shaune’s behalf]. I’ll wait for them to hear what they have to say,” he stated.
The 13-year-old boy injured in the accident, a friend of Gomolemo's sister, had been travelling to school with the family since March. Gomolemo's sister explained that she had noticed her friend struggling with transport and had asked her mother if he could join them on their daily commute.
The boy attended the same school as Gomolemo, while Gomolemo's sister attended a different school in Kempton Park. Tragically, Gomolemo's sister had to be picked up early from school yesterday after experiencing an emotional breakdown.
Mogaila faces charges of culpable homicide, reckless and negligent driving, and fleeing the scene of the accident. He was scheduled to appear in the Tembisa magistrate's court yesterday, but the case was postponed due to an incomplete docket.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane explained that the docket was not court-ready and that the South African Police Service (SAPS) had been instructed to resubmit it by November 1st. The postponement has undoubtedly added to the family's anguish as they await justice for their loss. The community awaits further developments in this case with bated breath.
