Nigeria, May 7 -- A respected football referee has been lynched and set ablaze by a furious crowd in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to a report by Africa Soccer, 36-year-old Patrick Ngalamulume, popularly known as "Ngalas", was accused of theft without any proof.

He was eventually brutally killed on Tuesday, 6 May, in a violent episode that has reignited urgent questions about security, lawlessness, and public trust in state institutions.

The murder of the referee marks a chilling low point for a region already plagued by unrest and instability.

Patrick Ngalamulume was no stranger to Bukavu's footballing circles. Known for his fairness, integrity, and commitment to officiating, he served under the Bukavu Urban...