Former Sekhukhune United midfielder Mokete “Shaune” Mogaila, 29, has been convicted following his guilty plea over a fatal crash in Tembisa that claimed the life of nine-year-old Gomolemo Mavimbela.
Mogaila appeared before the Tembisa Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 5 October 2026, where he pleaded guilty under Section 112(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act to reckless driving, fleeing the scene of an accident and culpable homicide.
The court subsequently convicted him on all three charges.
The crash occurred in the early hours of 30 October 2024 on Andrew Mapheto Road. Mogaila admitted that the vehicle he was driving veered into oncoming traffic and collided with a vehicle carrying Gomolemo, her mother Keo Mavimbela and a 13-year-old neighbour.
Gomolemo died in the collision, while her mother and the teenager suffered serious injuries and spent about two months in hospital.
Mogaila fled the scene after the crash but later handed himself over to police on the same day. The NPA said alcohol bottles and drugs were found inside his vehicle during the investigation.
The guilty plea follows months of court proceedings and the rejection of an earlier proposed plea-and-sentence agreement. The proposal included a fine of about R20,000, which was opposed by the victims’ families and the NPA.
The families’ legal representatives argued that the proposed sentence was inappropriate given the seriousness of the crash and its impact on the victims.
Gomolemo’s mother has called for Mogaila to receive a direct prison sentence, saying the crash has left her with lasting physical, financial and emotional consequences.
She spent two months in hospital and said she continues to experience difficulties walking and persistent headaches.
Gomolemo’s father, Tshepo Kekana, welcomed the guilty plea, saying it brought some relief to the family after the lengthy proceedings.
The NPA welcomed the conviction, saying the guilty plea spared the victims and their families the additional emotional burden of a lengthy trial.
Mogaila’s bail has been extended, and the matter has been postponed to 17 November 2026 for sentencing, when the court is expected to consider victim impact statements.