The family of a nine-year-old girl who lost her life in a tragic accident involving Sekhukhune United player Shaun Mogaila, 29, has voiced their profound disappointment with the justice system after he was granted bail of R20,000, suggesting it favors individuals in the public eye.
The crash, which also hospitalized the girl’s mother and a 13-year-old boy, occurred on the morning of October 30. Mogaila made his initial court appearance at Thembisa Magistrate’s Court on Friday, following the incident.
Reports indicated that suspected cocaine, edibles, and expensive bottles of Don Julio tequila were discovered in Mogaila’s vehicle. He allegedly fled the scene but later turned himself in to authorities on the same day.
While the court session, originally set for 8:30 AM, did not begin until just before 2 PM, family members of the deceased grew concerned when Mogaila’s name was not listed among the cases to be heard that day.
Upon entering the courtroom with a bandage on his forehead, emotions ran high as the girl’s relatives reacted to his presence. State prosecutor Maxwell Randima informed the court that Mogaila faces charges including culpable homicide, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of the accident. He mentioned that video footage related to the incident would undergo lab analysis.
Mogaila’s attorney, Octavius Magunda, noted that the athlete earns R40,000 monthly and can manage a bail of R5,000. However, Magistrate Hlengiwe Malevu set bail at R20,000 without additional conditions, scheduling the next court date for February 4 to allow further investigation, including obtaining key reports.
Outside court, Patrick Kekana, uncle of the deceased, expressed his outrage at Mogaila’s release on bail. He lamented the loss of his niece and the critical condition of her mother and the young boy, suggesting that the justice system privileges the wealthy and famous.
Lele Lefakane, chairperson of the Thembisa Community Forum, criticized the absence of bail conditions, stating, “We are deeply disappointed. We did not expect this, especially given that he fled the scene after the crash.”
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