Gomolemo MMavimbela laid to rest after being involved in a car accident

It was a sad day for the community of Thembisa as mourners filled the Faith Mission Church on Andrew Mapheto Drive in Thembisa, to pay their last respects to Gomolemo.

Gomolemo Mavimbela (9) died when the car she was travelling in collided head-on with the Sekhukhune United player’s car on Tuesday, 29 October.

Gomolemo, from Leboeng in Thembisa, died instantly, while her mother and a neighbour’s 13-year-old child were taken to hospital. The two are still in Thembisa and Zamokuhle Private hospitals, respectively.

During the funeral, her small white casket was placed in front of the hall as speaker after speaker condemned the way she died. Her younger cousins were in tears as it dawned on them that they would never see her again.

Her uncle, Sifiso Sikhosana, said her mum was in a stable condition in hospital and the neighbour’s child was also recovering.

“We thank the support we received from everyone who was touched by this incident. We are happy that everything went well,” he said.

Sifiso said Sekhukhune United has not visited the family since the incident. Mourners appealed to the justice system not to fail Gomolemo.

“This young girl had a great future ahead of her and it was cut tragically by someone who was drunk.”

“We wish she could get justice, and we don’t want to hear that there is not enough evidence to prosecute the player,” said a pastor.

The dashcam from another driver’s car captured Shaune Mogaila’s BMW M2 as it was flying from the opposite lane to collide with Gomolemo’s mother’s car.

After the accident, which happened on Andrew Mapheto Drive near Phomolong, the soccer player (29) fled the scene. Inside his car, Ekurhuleni Metro cops found empty bottles of alcohol and white powder believed to be cocaine.

Shaune later handed himself in at Rabie Ridge Police Station on the same day, 29 October. Shaune appeared at Thembisa Magistrates Court on Friday, 1 November.

He was given R20,000 bail and is expected back in court on Tuesday, 4 February 2025.

Shaune is facing charges of culpable homicide, reckless and negligent driving, among other charges.