Johannesburg – Nine months after her nine-year-old daughter was killed in a car crash allegedly caused by soccer player Shaune Mogaila, distraught mother Keo Mavimbela has turned to AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit in her pursuit of justice.
Mavimbela’s daughter, Gomolemo, was killed in a car crash along Andrew Mapheto Road in Tembisa on 30 October 2024, when Shaune Mogaila’s car collided with hers.
Thando Khethiwa, the son of Mavimbela’s friend, was critically injured as well.
The unit also represents Thando’s mother, Carol Khethiwa.
The Sekhukhune United football player allegedly fled the scene and handed himself over to the police later that day.
He was granted bail of R20 000.
The Ekurhuleni Metro Police reported that broken liquor bottles and a white substance they suspect was cocaine were found inside the BMW M2.
But nine months later, and despite dashcam video evidence of the crash, the matter keeps being postponed for further investigations.
Mavimbela said she fears the accused might be getting preferential treatment.
She said all she wants is justice.
“I approached AfriForum because I feel like there’s no progress in this case,” Mavimbela said.
“I feel like there’s a lot of runaround. And the only thing that I want is justice from this case.
“But the way things are going, it doesn’t give any hope because the case has been postponed without trial.
“It’s always investigations, investigations based on the same reason, which is the blood results.
“I hope that AfriForum could help me reach justice for my daughter, myself, and Thando.”
In correspondence with the Rabie Ridge Police Station commander, Advocate Gerrie Nel, head of the AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit, asks for an update on the case.
“In our experience of other matters, it has become more and more evident that the SAPS either lacks the skills to investigate culpable homicide cases or considers them to be of lesser importance,” Advocate Nel said.
“Consequently, little is done to mitigate delays in the blood alcohol results, which have allowed cases to drag on until they are eventually struck off the roll.
“The trauma caused by this lingering case remains unhealthy for the victims, and our instructions are to not only obtain a status update but also to ensure that justice is served.
“To that end, we offer both our assistance and that of our client to ensure that the matter is postponed for trial and concluded without further undue delay,” said Nel.
Barry Bateman, the AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit spokesperson, said Mavimbela and her family not only bear the emotional burden of this incident but also the physical and financial burden.
“While Keo [Mavimbela] walks with a severe limp after undergoing numerous surgeries to heal her body, which was crushed in the wreck that killed her daughter, the football player behind the wheel of the other car runs onto the pitch,” said Bateman.
“We share Keo’s concern that Mogaila may be given preferential treatment because of his status as a soccer player.
“AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit was established to ensure that everyone is treated equally before the law, regardless of political or social status.
“We frequently hear from authorities who claim to have a zero-tolerance policy towards speeding and drunk driving.”
Bateman, however, said this zeal disappears when someone who is allegedly intoxicated and speeding causes a crash that kills people.
“Our experience shows that if a case is enrolled, it takes years to investigate, and there are never-ending delays for scene reconstruction or blood test results,” said Bateman.
“Some cases are eventually struck off the roll because of a failure to finalise investigations.
“We will not allow that to happen in this case and will ensure there is justice for Keo and her family,” said Bateman.
The matter returns to the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court on 16 September 2025.
WARNING: THE DASHCAM VIDEO OF THE CRASH MAY BE DISTRESSING
