South Africa footballer surrenders to police after fatal crash

A South African football player will face charges of culpable homicide, reckless and negligent driving, after he allegedly fled the scene of a fatal car crash that left a young girl dead, local police say.

On Wednesday morning, Shaun Mogaila, 29, a player for Sekhukhune United, allegedly crashed his BMW into a car that was carrying an adult woman and two children in Gauteng province.

The nine-year-old was "declared dead on scene" a police spokesperson told local news site IOL.

Mr Mogaila handed himself in to Rabie Ridge Police Station hours after the crash happened.

The player was expected to appear at a magistrate's court, but there had been a delay, a National Prosecution Authority (NPA) spokesperson told news site SowetanLive.

The woman and the 13-year-old are currently being treated in hospital.

Sekhukhune United has not yet commented on the incident.

A video of the crash which was captured on a dashcam has gone viral on social media, with many people expressing outrage.

“This is what scares me to drive nowadays, the fact that I can get in the car and drive safely with my family and still pass away,” said one X user.

However, some have come out to defend the footballer and have commended him for handing himself in to police.

"You who are busy condemning Shaune Mogaila let's hope you don't own cars, you have no idea what happens as soon as you cause an accident, even nobody gets hurts, the poor guy handed himself in later after he came back to his senses," said another X user.

Hours before the accident, the player had been taking part in a game against Richards Bay team at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo.