A peaceful football tournament descended into tragedy on Thursday May 7, 2026 when a 55-year-old referee was brutally murdered by players and supporters who disagreed with his officiating.
The attack occurred at Mchenga Primary School Ground in Chief Mafuta, Chipangali District, between 12:05 and 13:30 hours.
The victim has been identified as Male Donald Tonga, a resident of Madalistso Farm.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba says Donald Tonga was serving as the center referee for a replayed match in the Andrew Lubusha Football Tournament, sponsored by the local Member of Parliament.
The incident stemmed from a disputed foul during the first half of the match involving Mikango United Football Team from Raban Village, Chief Mshaba.
Witnesses state that when Tonga failed to blow his whistle for a foul, players from Mikango United became enraged.
What followed was not a protest, but a lethal manhunt.
The referee attempted to run away for his safety, but the players, together with their supporters, chased him down and continued beating him.
The mob used fists, kicks, stones, sticks, and a bamboo stick as weapons.
Notably, the opposing team Leopard United did not participate in the assault and some fans attempted to rescue the referee but failed.
Tonga was rushed to Chamasongo Clinic, where medical personnel pronounced him dead upon arrival.
Police who visited the clinic found his body lying in a pool of blood.
A preliminary physical inspection revealed only one visible injury a deep cut on the left side of the head.
The deadly confrontation did not occur in a vacuum.
The match in question was a replay of a disputed game from May 5, 2026.
In that original match, Mikango United was leading Leopard United 2-1 in the 77th minute when Tonga awarded a penalty to Leopard United, triggering chaos and a postponement.
A meeting on May 6 resolved to restart the match from minute one.
The replay, officiated by the now-deceased Tonga after his son, the officially appointed referee, was absent was meant to settle the dispute.
Instead, it ended in bloodshed.
The prize winner was suppose to get K5, 000 out the 16 teams in the tournament.
no arrests have been made but a docket has been opened and a postmortem examination has been ordered.
Police have launched a manhunt for the players and supporters of Mikango United.
By Samuel Khwawe
