…as German rider dies
Leemisa Thuseho
A GERMAN recreational rider who had come to Lesotho for the Roof of Africa was killed in a road accident in Roma on Thursday, putting a sombre note on the opening day of the world’s oldest hard enduro race.
According to the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC), the rider, who had been staying at Molengoane Lodge, collided with a 4+1 taxi and was then struck by another vehicle. He was declared dead on arrival at St Joseph’s Hospital in Roma.
LTDC public relations manager, Molapo Matela, said the deceased was a recreational rider who was not competing in the race.
“At this deeply difficult time, our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the rider’s family and fellow riders,” Mr Matela said.
He said the LTDC was in contact with relevant stakeholders and would continue to monitor developments as more information became available. He also urged the public and the media to refrain from speculation and to allow the authorities to investigate the circumstances of the accident.
The Lesotho Off-Road Association (LoRA) chairperson, Mopeli Ntabe, whose association organises the race, identified the rider only as Frank. He said the accident happened on a public road, outside the routes monitored by the organisers.
“Unfortunately, one of our spectators was involved in a fatal accident with a taxi and he died. It is very unfortunate and our hearts go out to the family,” Ntabe said.
“The little information that I have is that it is a gentleman; his name is Frank. I did not get his last name… He was overtaking a taxi and he collided with another taxi and ended up being dragged by a second car. That is how bad the accident was.”
Although the rider was not a competitor, Ntabe conceded that the organisers could not entirely distance themselves from the incident because he had travelled to Lesotho for their event.
“The reason he was in Lesotho was because he had come to our event. Are we responsible? No. But we have to acknowledge that he was a guest. The matter is now in the hands of the police,” he said.
Ntabe said the race was otherwise going according to plan.
The Roof of Africa, first held in 1967, was held this year at Ha-Lebamang in Roma. It started with the time trial on Thursday, ended yesterday and doubled as Round Six of the nine-round 2026 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship.