A wave of shock and sorrow has swept across the Democratic Republic of Congo following the brutal killing of football referee Patrick Ngalamulume in Bukavu, in the country’s conflict-ridden east.

The 36-year-old, popularly known as “Ngalas,” was lynched and set ablaze by an enraged crowd in the Irambo neighbourhood between the night of 5 and 6 May 2025. The mob accused him of theft—a claim that was never verified.

Eyewitnesses say the attack unfolded in full view of residents, as a growing crowd beat the referee before setting him on fire. No intervention came from the police or emergency services.

“It was horrifying. No one could stop it. The anger was uncontrollable,” said one local who witnessed the lynching but asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal.

Ngalamulume, affiliated with the Bukavu Urban Football Association (EUFBUK), had no criminal record and was known for his professionalism on the pitch.

His death has left the local football community and broader civil society in mourning.

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

In a strongly worded statement, the Football Association condemned the killing:

“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 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) also joined in expressing solidarity, adding:

“Football must remain a sport that unites, not one that becomes entangled in the breakdown of law and order.”

The lynching underscores the deteriorating security in parts of eastern Congo, where armed rebel groups like M23 have weakened state control, and vigilante justice has become common.

“The government must act. This level of barbarity cannot become a norm,” said a Bukavu local official. “People are losing faith in the justice system, and we’re seeing the dangerous consequences of that.”

In recent months, Bukavu and neighbouring Goma have seen a rise in similar acts of mob justice, a symptom of the growing void left by an overwhelmed and under-resourced justice system.

Civil society groups, sports authorities, and local leaders have called for an independent investigation into the killing, the arrest of those responsible, and urgent action to prevent further breakdowns in law enforcement.

Patrick Ngalamulume’s tragic death serves as a grim reminder of what happens when fear replaces justice. His memory now stands as both a loss and a call—for accountability, reform, and the protection of all citizens under the law.