Maritzburg United player Mondli Cele dies in car accident
Maritzburg United player Mondli Cele dies in car accident. Mondli Cele, a player from Premier Soccer League club Maritzburg United, has died in an early morning accident in Alexandra Park, Pietermaritzburg.
Road Traffic Inspectorate spokesperson Zinhle Mngomezulu confirmed the accident.
It is believed the vehicle in which he was travelling veered off the road and into the Duzi river.
Cele died upon arrival at the hospital.
Mngomezulu said she cannot speculate that heavy rains caused the accident as widely reported and two counts of culpable homicide are part of the investigation.
Club chairman Farouk Kadodia has confirmed the sad news.
It’s understood Mondli Cele lost control of the car during heavy rains in Pietermaritzburg last night.
Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula says Cele’s passing should serve as a reminder to fight against road carnage in the country.
Multiple footballers have died on South Africa’s roads recently, including Cecil Lolo and Richard Henyekane.
Mbalula says Cele will be remembered as a player full of talent.
“We have lost a number of footballers through car crashes. We need to do something about that. He was a talented footballer.”
Maritzburg United is a South African football club based in the city of Pietermaritzburg that currently plays in the Premier Soccer League.
Club Statement:
It is with deep sadness to confirm the tragic loss of our Mid Fielder, Mondli Cele, who was involved in a car accident this morning and passed away.
The SAPS are currently investigating the circumstances around the accident.
Our Deepest condolences go to the Family and Friends during this extremely difficult period.
Further details will be released in due course