Sixteen-year-old Lilitha Lombo, a member of the Khaltsha Cycling Academy, was killed on Tuesday 29 September 2026 when she was struck by a vehicle during a training ride in South Africa’s Western Cape.
Lombo was riding with teammates on Steynsrust Road when she was struck in the afternoon. The driver did not stop and fled the scene. The South African Police Service has opened a culpable homicide case. No arrest had been reported at the time of publication.
Khaltsha is based in Khayelitsha and works to create opportunities for young and female riders. Her coach, Sindile Mavundla, was riding with her and doing what they had done many times before when the crash happened. He described her as a reserved but driven girl who was still developing as a cyclist and discovering what she could achieve.
Lilitha and her twin sister, Linomtha, joined Khaltsha in 2025 after seeing fellow South African cyclist and club member Ngacali Simelela race in the Tour de France. “They saw someone who had come through Khaltsha doing something extraordinary, and it made them believe that perhaps they could also find their own path through cycling,” the club said.
The academy has set up a GivenGain fundraiser to help the family with funeral costs.
Gran Fondo Daily News extends its sympathy to Lombo’s family, teammates and the Western Cape cycling community.
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