The family of 9-year-old girl killed in a fatal crash in Thembisa involving PSL star Shaun Mogaila is calling for the footballer to “rot in jail”.
The crash killed Gomolemo Mavimbela, 9, while Mavimbela’ mother, who was driving, and a 13-year-old boy, have been hospitalized.
Suspected cocaine, edibles, and pricey Don Julio tequila bottles were allegedly found in the vehicle belonging to the PSL soccer star who allegedly fled the scene, before handing himself over to police later on the same day.
Speaking to the media outside the Thembisa Magistrate’s Court, Patrick Kekana, the family spokesperson and uncle of the deceased young girl said the family is still devastated by the incident.
“We are really hurt by what happened as a family,” Kekana said.
“I am deeply hurt by the crash,” he added.
Mogaila plays as a right back and right winger of the Sekhukhune United. He joined the Limpopo outfit from Shauwn Mkhize’s Royal AM during the transfer window and had been touted as a possible signing by one of the Soweto giants.
Kekana said his heart has been racing since the incident occurred on Wednesday, and called on Mogaila to be sent behind bars.
“That guy must be sent to jail because he was drinking and driving his car under the influence of alcohol. It is illegal to drive a car while you are drinking. Drinking and driving is not allowed in South Africa, so he must get a punishment from the court,” said Kekana.
He added the family did not receive any communication from Mogaila’s family nor have they heard from his employer, Sekhukhune United Football Club.
Meanwhile, Mogaila was expected to appear before the Thembisa Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, but he did not, as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the docket was not court-ready.
NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said that the footballer did not appear in court on Thursday as the case presented by the police was not yet court-ready.
“Unfortunately the docket that was brought to us by the South African Police Service (SAPS) was not court ready and therefore as the NPA we have given instructions for SAPS to comply with and thereafter return the docket to us tomorrow on November 1.”
Mogaila is expected to appear at the same court on Friday.
“We will wait for necessary evidential material we requested from the police to be provided and thereafter will be able to formulate the charges,” Mjonondwane explained.
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