Tragedy has struck the sporting community in the Democratic Republic of Congo after a respected football referee, Patrick Ngalamulume, was lynched and burned to death by a mob over unproven theft allegations in Bukavu’s Irambo district.
Ngalamulume, aged 36, was attacked by an angry mob who accused him of theft. Eyewitnesses reported that the crowd, fueled by rage and speculation, descended on the referee, beating him severely before setting him ablaze.
The horrific incident has since sparked national outrage and growing demands for accountability.
Authorities later confirmed that Ngalamulume had no criminal record. His name had never appeared in any police files, and he was known within Bukavu’s sporting circles as a disciplined and fair official affiliated with the Bukavu Urban Football Association (EUFBUK).
The brutal killing has reignited debates on the rising trend of mob justice in Eastern DRC, where public frustration over crime and slow legal processes often results in vigilante violence.
Despite the widespread outrage, the government has yet to release an official statement on the killing.
However, his family, community leaders and civil society groups are now demanding an independent investigation and the swift arrest of those responsible.
