Former Sekhukhune FC footballer Sean Mogaila has pleaded guilty to culpable homicide and failing to render assistance after the fatal crash that claimed the life of nine-year-old Gomolemo Mavimbela in Tembisa two years ago.

Mogaila, 29, appeared before the Tembisa Magistrates’ Court on Monday and entered a guilty plea in terms of Section 112(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act.

The National Prosecuting Authority said Mogaila admitted to all the elements of the offences and accepted the facts and allegations presented by the State.

The conviction brings the case closer to an end after repeated court appearances and postponements since the October 2024 crash.

The fatal collision happened during the early hours of 30 October 2024 on Andrew Mapheto Road in Tembisa.

According to the NPA, Mogaila admitted that the vehicle he was driving veered into oncoming traffic and collided with another vehicle carrying a woman and her two children.

The crash killed Gomolemo, while her mother and her 13-year-old brother sustained serious injuries.

Mogaila admitted in his plea statement that he had negligently caused or contributed to the collision in which Gomolemo suffered injuries that resulted in her death.

He also admitted that, as the driver, he wrongfully and unlawfully failed to render assistance to the injured person.

After the collision, Mogaila fled the scene but later handed himself over to law enforcement authorities on the same day.

The circumstances surrounding the crash attracted widespread attention because Mogaila was a professional footballer who had been playing for Sekhukhune United at the time.

Just hours before the crash, Mogaila had been involved in his team’s Betway Premiership match against Richards Bay at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on 29 October.

Sekhukhune won the match 2-0. Contemporary reports said Mogaila played for about 50 minutes before travelling back to Gauteng, with a club source saying he arrived around 3am.

This means the fatal collision happened only a few hours after the footballer had travelled from Limpopo to Tembisa.

At the time of the crash, police also reported finding alcohol and suspected drugs in Mogaila’s vehicle.

Ekurhuleni Metro Police said four bottles of Don Julio tequila, cannabis edibles and a white powder suspected to be cocaine were found inside the vehicle. Authorities said investigations would include testing of his blood.

However, the discovery of those substances in the vehicle did not by itself establish that Mogaila had consumed them or that he was driving under the influence.

Mogaila was arrested after handing himself over at Rabie Ridge police station. He was later granted R20,000 bail while investigations continued.

The case became a source of frustration for Gomolemo’s family as proceedings were repeatedly postponed.

In July 2025, Gomolemo’s mother, Keo Mavimbela-Kekana, said she was tired of delays and had approached AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit for assistance. She said she wanted justice for her daughter and the other victims of the crash.

Following Monday’s guilty plea, Gomolemo’s father, Tshepo Kekana, said he felt relieved that the matter was finally moving forward.

“At least we can see some light now, and we are moving forward,” he said.

AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit spokesperson Barry Bateman welcomed the guilty plea, saying it spared the family the ordeal of a lengthy trial.

The NPA also welcomed the conviction, saying the guilty plea held Mogaila accountable while sparing the victims’ family the emotional burden of a prolonged trial.

The court convicted Mogaila on all three charges following his guilty plea.

He will remain on bail pending sentencing proceedings.

The matter has been postponed to 17 November 2026, when the court will consider the appropriate sentence.

The NPA’s Gauteng spokesperson, Magaboke Mohlatlole, said the conviction represented an important step towards justice for Gomolemo and her family.

The prosecution said it remained committed to holding accountable those whose unlawful and reckless conduct results in death or serious injury, while protecting the constitutional rights of accused persons and upholding due process.