Drama in the DRC: A football referee lynched and burned alive

Late referee Patrick Ngalamulume

A referee was lynched and burned alive by an angry mob in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in a horrific act of mob justice that sent shockwaves through the country's sporting and civic communities.

Patrick Ngalamulume, better known as "Ngalas," was attacked and killed in the Irambo neighborhood on the night of May 5-6. The 36-year-old referee was accused of theft without evidence before being brutally beaten and burned alive by residents.

Eyewitnesses claim the attack took place in full view of local residents, none of whom were able to intervene in time. Emergency services were unable to arrive on the scene before the mob committed the murder. What began as an unverified accusation quickly escalated into a deadly public execution, leaving no room for due process or defense.

Ngalamulume, known in the local sports world for his professionalism and commitment to football, had no criminal record. Calls are growing for an independent investigation into the lynching, the arrest of those involved and urgent efforts to restore law and order.

Ngalamulume's passing leaves a deep void not only in the world of sport, but also in the hearts of those who knew him. His legacy is now a call for justice, accountability, and the urgent need to restore trust in the institutions meant to protect all citizens.

EDITOR NOTE: This article is translated from the original written in French by Ablam Gnamesso for Pan-Africa Football.