Family of girl killed by Sekhukhune United's Mogaila deny giving blessing for him to return to the pitch

JOHANNESBURG - The family of a child killed in a horror crash involving Sekhukhune United player Shaune Mogaila has denied claims that they gave him their blessing to return to the field.

Mogaila was arrested in November after crashing his luxury vehicle into a car carrying 9-year-old Gomolemo Mavimbela, her mother Keo, and a 13-year-old neighbour.

The soccer player fled the scene before handing himself over to police.

Mogaila faces charges of culpable homicide, reckless and negligent driving, and fleeing the scene.

After being released on R20,000 bail in November, he recovered from his injuries before returning to the pitch.

This month, Sekhukhune United claimed that Mavimbela's family had given their blessing for the striker to play again.

READ: Sekhukhune United: Family of girl killed by Mogaila gave blessing for him to return to playing
 
At the weekend, Mogaila scored the winning goal against Chippa United and was named man of the match.

Following the victory, head coach Lehlohonolo Seema said the victim's family had forgiven him and wished him well.

"We as the Kekana and Mavimbela families do refute the claims by Sekhukhune United that they have been in consultation with us or received a blessing from us as the families, and we have not seen any of the club’s representatives since the ordeal happened last year," said family spokesperson, Reverend Thapelo Kekana.

Mogaila will now have to strike a balance between life on the pitch and in the dock.

He is set to return to the Tembisa Magistrate's Court on 19 May.