The mother of a nine-year-old girl killed in a car crash involving Sekhukhune United footballer Shaune Mogaila has accused the club and the player of lying about her family’s forgiveness.
Shaune Mogaila accident: Victim’s mom makes shocking claims in new interview
In an interview with Radio 2000, family spokesperson Sfiso Skhosana denied reports that the Mavimbela family had given Mogaila their blessing to return to football.
“We are shocked by the reports that we have given Sekhukhune United our blessings for Shaune Mogaila to play again. For the record, we have never met Mogaila, nor his family, or Sekhukhune United since that tragic accident,” Skhosana said.
The accident happened in October 2024, when Keo Mavimbela was driving her daughter and a 13-year-old neighbour to school. Mogaila’s vehicle veered into oncoming traffic and crashed into their car.
Authorities found alcohol bottles, a suspicious white powder, and marijuana edibles in Mogaila’s abandoned BMW. Police said the footballer fled the scene before later handing himself over.
Mogaila was released on R20,000 bail and is facing charges of culpable homicide, reckless and negligent driving, and fleeing the scene of an accident.
He is due back in the Tembisa Magistrates Court on 19 May.
Despite the ongoing legal case, Mogaila has returned to football and played two matches, winning a Man of the Match award.
His club, Sekhukhune United, claimed the Mavimbela family had given him their blessing to continue playing, a statement that the victim’s mother strongly denied.
“This person is lying. He has not spoken to my family since the ordeal. This is emotional abuse. I am shocked. I have not forgiven him. I just want to heal,” she said.
Sekhukhune United has not responded to the mother’s comments or the backlash surrounding Mogaila’s return to professional football.
The club is set to face Milford FC in the Nedbank Cup Round of 16 on 2 March 2025, where Mogaila is expected to play.
Authorities are reviewing dashcam footage to establish if Mogaila was driving at the time of the crash. The state has also called for further forensic analysis to strengthen its case.