Soccer star’s bail angers family

“IT’S sad that he was merely given a R20 000 bail.”

These were the words of Patrick Kekana, the uncle of the late Gomolemo Mavimbela (9).

“I lost my niece and two people are in critical condition. I saw his team players happy when the magistrate announced that. The law in South Africa isn’t fair; it favours those who have money. Those who are poor like us don’t get that advantage,” said the angry uncle.

Seeing the man who led to her niece’s death, the aunt burst into tears.

Gomolemo’s aunt came out of the court in tears. This is following the case against Sekhukhune United player Shaune Mogaila, who appeared in the Thembisa Magistrates Court on Friday, 1 November.

Shaune looked nervous with a bandage on his forehead. What angered the family more was that the court granted Shaune R20 000 bail without conditions.

He’s expected back in court on 4 February 2025. He’s facing charges of culpable homicide, reckless and negligent driving, among others.

Lele Lefakane, chairwoman of Thembisa Community Forum, said they aren’t happy that Shaune is getting special treatment.

“He’s free to do whatever he wants because his bail doesn’t have conditions. As the community, we’re disappointed that the state didn’t oppose the bail amount granted. We’re sad because this person ran away, and he was not ready to face the consequences of his actions,” said Lefakane.

Shaune was involved in an accident on Tuesday, 29 October, where schoolgirl Gomolemo died, and her mum and a neighbour’s 13-year-old child are in hospital.

The two are in Thembisa and Zamokuhle Private Hospital, respectively. The neighbour said her son’s two legs are fractured, and he’s meant to undergo an operation.