Tembisa – Former Sekhukhune United footballer Mokete “Shaune” Mogaila has been convicted over the fatal crash that claimed the life of nine-year-old Gomolemo Mavimbela in Tembisa in October 2024.
Mogaila appeared in the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 5 October 2026, where he pleaded guilty and was convicted on charges arising from the crash, which occurred on Andrew Mapheto Road.
According to The Citizen, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said Mogaila admitted that his vehicle “veered into oncoming traffic and collided with another vehicle occupied by a woman and two children.”
The collision killed Gomolemo, while her mother, Keo Mavimbela, and 13-year-old Thando Khethiwa sustained serious injuries.
BREAKING NEWS 🚨
Footballer Pleads Guilty To Culpable Homicide
Former Sekhukhune United player Mokete Sean “Shaune” Mogaila, 29, has pleaded guilty to culpable homicide and failing to remain at the scene or render assistance following a fatal crash in Tembisa.
Mogaila pleaded guilty today,Monday, 5 October 2026, in the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court. The crash occurred on Andrew Mapheto Drive on 30 October 2024.
He admitted that he negligently caused or contributed to the collision that killed 9-year-old Gomolemo Mavimbela and injured her mother, Keo Mavimbela, and a 13-year-old neighbour.
Mogaila left the scene after the crash and later handed himself over to police. He was released on R20,000 bail.
An earlier plea-and-sentence proposal, which included a fine of about R20,000, was rejected by the families and the NPA.
The case has been postponed to 17 November 2026 for sentencing, with bail extended. Victim impact statements will now be considered.
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) October 5, 2026
Mogaila fled the scene after the collision but later handed himself over to police.
Earlier reporting by TimesLIVE said he was subsequently granted R20,000 bail.
The case was delayed for nearly two years as investigations and legal proceedings continued. In September, Sowetan reported that Gomolemo’s mother had rejected a proposed R20,000 fine, describing it as “a big insult” and saying it was not the justice her daughter deserved.
Following Monday’s conviction, Gomolemo’s father, Tshepo Kekana, said the guilty plea brought some relief to the family.
Former Sekhukhune United Footballer Mokete Mogaila Pleads Guilty To Culpable Homicide Over Fatal Tembisa Crash That Killed 9-Year-Old Girl
Former Sekhukhune United player Mokete Sean “Shaune” Mogaila, 29, has pleaded guilty to culpable homicide and failing to remain at the scene or render assistance following a fatal crash in Tembisa. Mogaila entered his guilty plea on Monday, 5 October 2026, in the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court.
The crash happened on Andrew Mapheto Drive on 30 October 2024. Mogaila admitted that he negligently caused or contributed to the collision, which killed nine-year-old Gomolemo Mavimbela. Gomolemo’s mother, Keo Mavimbela, and a 13-year-old neighbour were also injured in the crash.
Mogaila left the scene following the collision before later handing himself over to police. He was subsequently released on R20,000 bail. An earlier plea-and-sentence proposal, which included a fine of about R20,000, was rejected by the victims’ families and the National Prosecuting Authority.
The case has now been postponed to 17 November 2026 for sentencing, while Mogaila’s bail has been extended. The court will also consider victim impact statements before determining the sentence following his guilty plea to the charges arising from the fatal Tembisa collision.
— THE TRUTH PANTHER 🇿🇦 (@TheTruthPanther) October 5, 2026
“At least we can see some light now, and we are moving forward,” he said.
However, AfriForum Private Prosecution Unit spokesperson Barry Bateman said Mogaila had not provided a complete account of what led to the crash.
“Our focus now shifts to preparing victim impact statements to assist the court in imposing a just and appropriate sentence,” Bateman said.
The NPA welcomed the conviction, saying it was an important step towards justice for the affected families.
Mogaila’s bail has been extended and the matter has been postponed to 17 November 2026 for sentencing.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
