By Everson Luhanga
- A mother missed her six-year-old daughter’s funeral while in ICU after being hit in a crash involving a football star.
- Family angry at claims they approved player’s return while they’re still suffering severe injuries.
The family of a six-year-old girl killed in a crash involving football star Shaune Mogaila are devastated that he’s back playing and winning awards while they’re still grieving.
While Mogaila celebrated being named man of the match after scoring for Sekhukhune United on Saturday, the mother of his victim still can’t walk and missed her daughter’s funeral because she was in ICU.
The family says they’re hurt by claims from the club that they gave permission for Mogaila to play again.
“They are lying. They never spoke to us and never gave them consent about Mogaila playing,” family spokesperson Sifiso Skosana told Scrolla.Africa.
“The mother was in hospital for two months. She was only discharged in January. She still cannot walk. She didn’t even get to bury her beloved daughter who was buried while she was still in ICU.”
A 13-year-old boy who was also hit in the crash is learning to walk again after surgery and put medical steel pins on his legs.
The crash happened on 30 October 2024 in Thembisa. Mogaila initially fled the scene before handing himself over to police. Police reportedly found alcohol bottles and drugs in his car.
Sekhukhune coach Lehlohonolo Seema defended playing Mogaila, saying they were “showing ubuntu” and that “everyone deserves a second chance.”
“That is why it is called an accident. We know he hasn’t forgotten what happened,” said Seema.
But Skosana said the club must apologise for claiming they had the family’s blessing.
“With all that we went through, they still had to lie about us giving a blessing to Mogaila to play again. We fundamentally distance ourselves from that.”
The case has been postponed to 19 May. Mogaila is out on bail.
Pictured above: Shaune Mogaila.
Image source: File
