“Remembering Gomolemo Mavimbela: A Life Cut Short by Drunk Driving”

The community of Thembisa in Ekurhuleni was filled with grief on Saturday, November 9, as hundreds gathered at the Faith Mission Church on Andrew Mapheto Drive to bid farewell to young Gomolemo Mavimbela. At just 9 years old, Gomolemo’s life was tragically cut short in a drunk driving incident that has left her family and the local community devastated.

**A Heartbreaking Accident**

On Tuesday, October 29, Gomolemo was a passenger in a car when it collided head-on with a BMW M2 driven by Sekhukhune United footballer Shaune Mogaila. The crash occurred on Andrew Mapheto Drive near Phomolong, instantly taking the life of the young girl. Her mother and a 13-year-old neighbor, who were also in the car, sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals. The mother remains in stable condition, while the neighbor is recovering at Zamokuhle Private Hospital.

The funeral was an emotional affair, with a small white casket placed in front of the congregation as mourners shared their condolences. Relatives, including Gomolemo’s heartbroken cousins, wept openly, struggling to come to terms with the loss of a bright young life. Her uncle, Sifiso Sikhosana, expressed his gratitude for the support his family has received since the incident and assured attendees that the two survivors were stable and on the path to recovery.

**Calls for Justice**

During the service, several speakers condemned the circumstances of Gomolemo’s death. A pastor at the funeral voiced the deep sense of injustice felt by the family and the community. “This young girl had a great future ahead of her and it was cut tragically by someone who was drunk,” the pastor said. “We hope justice is served and that no one can claim there’s not enough evidence to prosecute the player responsible.”

Family members and mourners were also upset by the lack of support from Sekhukhune United, which had not made any effort to visit or reach out to the grieving family. The footballer’s actions on the day of the crash have sparked outrage, as it emerged that Shaune Mogaila fled the scene of the accident. Police later found alcohol bottles and suspected cocaine in his car, a discovery that has further fueled calls for accountability.

**The Arrest of Shaune Mogaila**

After the crash, Shaune Mogaila handed himself over to the Rabie Ridge Police Station on the same day, October 29. He was charged with culpable homicide, reckless and negligent driving, and other offenses. Mogaila appeared in court on November 1, where he was granted R20,000 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 4, 2025.

Dashcam footage from another vehicle involved in the crash shows Mogaila’s car veering into the opposite lane before the fatal collision. The footage, along with the evidence found in his vehicle, paints a grim picture of the events leading up to the tragedy.

**A Community in Mourning**

Gomolemo’s death has sparked widespread grief and anger in the local community. Many are now calling for the justice system to ensure that the responsible individual is held fully accountable. The family’s desire for justice is clear — they want to see the footballer punished for the crime, and they are asking for the legal system to treat this case with the seriousness it deserves.

As the family and community mourn the loss of a child with so much potential, the hope for justice remains at the forefront of their minds.