Patrick Ngalamulume a football referee was lynched and burned alive in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, after being falsely accused of theft.
Ngalamulume, 36, known locally as “Ngalas,” was killed in the Irambo neighborhood, where an angry crowd turned on him after rumours of wrongdoing — none of which were substantiated by evidence.
A respected match official affiliated with the Bukavu Urban Football Association (EUFBUK), Ngalamulume had no criminal record and was widely known for his dedication to the sport.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic and terrifying scene. The referee was first beaten by locals before being doused and set alight. No one was able to intervene in time, and emergency services failed to reach the area before the crowd carried out the killing.
“What began as a rumour ended in murder, he didn’t stand a chance.”” said one resident, visibly shaken.
The incident has once again highlighted the fragile security situation in eastern Congo, where weak law enforcement and the presence of rebel groups have fueled a rise in vigilante violence.
Cities like Bukavu and Goma are experiencing a worrying surge in extrajudicial killings, with many communities taking justice into their own hands as trust in the state erodes.
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Ngalamulume’s death has sparked outrage and grief across the footballing community. Colleagues and officials paid tribute to his professionalism and passion for the game, expressing disbelief that such a respected figure could be lost in such a violent manner.
“This is more than a football issue — this is a national crisis,” said a local sports organiser. “A man’s life was taken without trial, without defence, without mercy.”
Civil society groups and community leaders have condemned the killing and demanded a stronger government response.
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One local official, speaking to AfricaSoccer.com, called for an immediate increase in police presence and the re-establishment of rule of law, saying: “The government must act. This level of barbarity cannot become a norm.”
The tragedy comes just days after another referee was attacked in Ghana following the fatal stabbing of a fan — highlighting a disturbing trend of violence surrounding football across the continent.
