ANGRY MOB KILLS FOOTBALL REFEREE, BODY SET ABLAZE
Bukavu, a city already scarred by years of instability, was rocked this week by the horrific lynching of respected football referee Patrick Ngalamulume, who was beaten and set ablaze by a mob following an unproven accusation of theft.
The 36-year-old official, affectionately known as “Ngalas,” was killed in the early hours of May 6 in Bukavu’s Irambo neighborhood. Eyewitnesses say a false rumor triggered a deadly chain of events, as enraged residents took the law into their own hands and carried out a gruesome public execution.
Ngalamulume was widely known in Bukavu’s football community for his fairness, integrity, and calm approach on the pitch. He officiated under the Bukavu Urban Football Association (EUFBUK) and was a familiar face across local tournaments. Friends and colleagues described him as “a man of discipline and peace.”
The attack unfolded overnight, as a baseless accusation rapidly turned into mob violence. “There was no investigation, no police involvement. Just rage,” said a local resident who witnessed the violence but asked not to be named. “They beat him like he was nothing—and then set him on fire.”
Emergency services failed to intervene in time. The slow response has sparked outrage among civil society groups and sports officials who blame weak state institutions for enabling lawlessness. “This is what happens when the justice system fails completely,” said a spokesperson for a local human rights coalition.
The killing has drawn condemnation nationwide. In a statement, EUFBUK called for an urgent and impartial investigation, describing the attack as “a barbaric act that must not go unpunished.” They urged authorities to arrest all those involved and restore order in Bukavu and its surroundings.
Eastern Congo has long been plagued by insecurity, exacerbated by the presence of armed groups and a faltering state presence. In the vacuum of authority, extrajudicial killings and mob justice have become tragically common. Activists say Ngalamulume’s death is a chilling reminder of how low public trust has sunk.
“This isn’t just about one man,” said civil society leader Mireille Baguma. “It’s about a country where people no longer believe the police will protect them or that courts will deliver justice.”
Local officials have promised a crackdown and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. But skepticism remains high among residents who have heard similar promises in the past. “We want action, not speeches,” said a youth football coach in Bukavu.
As the city mourns the brutal loss of one of its own, Patrick Ngalamulume’s death has become more than a personal tragedy—it is a national wake-up call. His memory now stands as a symbol of both the beauty of the game he served and the urgent need for justice in a broken system.
#NEWS
#SPORTSANGRY MOB KILLS FOOTBALL REFEREE, BODY SET ABLAZE 😳
Bukavu, a city already scarred by years of instability, was rocked this week by the horrific lynching of respected football referee Patrick Ngalamulume, who was beaten and set ablaze by a mob following an unproven accusation of theft.
The 36-year-old official, affectionately known as “Ngalas,” was killed in the early hours of May 6 in Bukavu’s Irambo neighborhood. Eyewitnesses say a false rumor triggered a deadly chain of events, as enraged residents took the law into their own hands and carried out a gruesome public execution.
Ngalamulume was widely known in Bukavu’s football community for his fairness, integrity, and calm approach on the pitch. He officiated under the Bukavu Urban Football Association (EUFBUK) and was a familiar face across local tournaments. Friends and colleagues described him as “a man of discipline and peace.”
The attack unfolded overnight, as a baseless accusation rapidly turned into mob violence. “There was no investigation, no police involvement. Just rage,” said a local resident who witnessed the violence but asked not to be named. “They beat him like he was nothing—and then set him on fire.”
Emergency services failed to intervene in time. The slow response has sparked outrage among civil society groups and sports officials who blame weak state institutions for enabling lawlessness. “This is what happens when the justice system fails completely,” said a spokesperson for a local human rights coalition.
The killing has drawn condemnation nationwide. In a statement, EUFBUK called for an urgent and impartial investigation, describing the attack as “a barbaric act that must not go unpunished.” They urged authorities to arrest all those involved and restore order in Bukavu and its surroundings.
Eastern Congo has long been plagued by insecurity, exacerbated by the presence of armed groups and a faltering state presence. In the vacuum of authority, extrajudicial killings and mob justice have become tragically common. Activists say Ngalamulume’s death is a chilling reminder of how low public trust has sunk.
“This isn’t just about one man,” said civil society leader Mireille Baguma. “It’s about a country where people no longer believe the police will protect them or that courts will deliver justice.”
Local officials have promised a crackdown and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. But skepticism remains high among residents who have heard similar promises in the past. “We want action, not speeches,” said a youth football coach in Bukavu.
As the city mourns the brutal loss of one of its own, Patrick Ngalamulume’s death has become more than a personal tragedy—it is a national wake-up call. His memory now stands as a symbol of both the beauty of the game he served and the urgent need for justice in a broken system.
#NEWS
#SPORTS
English
Arabic
French
Spanish
Portuguese
Turkish
Dutch
Italiano
Russian
Romaian
Portuguese (Brazil)
Greek