Congolese referee killed by mob for theft accusations

Some football fans in the Democratic Republic of Congo have done the unthinkable by lynching and setting ablaze referee Patrick Ngalamulume in Bukavu, a city in eastern Congo. The 36-year-old who was accused of theft was attacked and killed by an angry mob on May 6th.

The news has shocked the entire Africa after citizens failed to seek justice for the late referee.

An eyewitness account said;

“It was horrifying. No one could stop it. The anger was uncontrollable”.

Information about what exactly he did wrong is yet to be known to the general public.

Congolese FA statement

“We are deeply saddened by the senseless and barbaric murder of Patrick Ngalamulume. We call on the authorities to arrest all those involved and restore trust in the rule of law.”

The Congolese FA expressed its sadness about how the referee was murdered.

Bukavu Urban Football Association (EUFBUK), of which Ngalamulume was a member of paid a tribute to him.

“We have lost not just a referee, but a man who believed in fair play and justice. To think he was denied the very justice he upheld is heartbreaking.”

Congo is in the middle of a civil war as Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province, has not known peace in the last three months.