A collapsed bridge in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed thirty two (32) people at the Kalando copper and cobalt mine in Lualaba Province.
According to officials, wildcat miners forced their way onto the site despite a safety ban, causing the makeshift bridge to give way under overcrowding.
SAEMAPE, the small-scale mining agency, says gunfire from soldiers triggered panic, leading miners to rush toward the bridge before it collapsed.
The agency puts the death toll at more than 40.
The Kalando mine has long been disputed between wildcat miners, a cooperative overseeing operations, and the site’s legal operators, who reportedly include Chinese interests.
Authorities have suspended operations, while rights groups are calling for an independent investigation into the military’s role. The army has not commented.
The DRC is the world’s top producer of cobalt but continues to face concerns over unsafe mining conditions and ongoing conflict linked to mineral resources.
Months ago, shock and grief gripped the Democratic Republic of Congo after the horrific death of football referee Patrick Ngalamulume, who was brutally killed by a mob in the eastern city of Bukavu.
The 36-year-old, widely known by his nickname “Ngalas,” was attacked in the Irambo neighbourhood overnight between May 5 and 6, 2025.
He was accused by locals of theft—a charge that remains unproven—and was violently beaten before being set on fire by a furious crowd.
Witnesses say the gruesome incident played out in public view, with no response from police or emergency services as the situation escalated.
The killing has sparked outrage and mourning across the country, particularly within the sporting community.
“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.
Patrick Ngalamulume, a respected member of the Bukavu Urban Football Association (EUFBUK), had a clean record and was widely regarded for his integrity and dedication to refereeing.
His tragic death has deeply shaken the local football fraternity and sparked widespread mourning across civil society.
“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.
In 2024, six people were killed and many were arrested after attacks on the home of a friend of President Felix Tshisekedi and the presidential palace in Congo. The military said it was a failed attempt to take over the government.
In December, Tshisekedi won the election again even though the opposition wanted a new vote because they thought the process wasn’t fair.
Six people were killed, including 3 attackers and their leader, Christian Malanga, who is against the current government. The army said they also arrested around 50 people involved in the attack.
Soldiers in military uniform fought with the guards of Vital Kamerhe, a lawmaker who is close to the president of Congo. Kamerhe’s spokesperson wrote on social media site X, saying that the guards stopped the intruders and made sure that the politician and his family were safe.
Two security guards were also murdered, Ekenge stated.
In the beginning, the news said the men with guns were from Congo’s army. Later, they said the men were connected to Malanga. He posted a video on Facebook from inside the president’s house, threatening Tshisekedi.
The army spokesman said Malanga was killed in a gunfight with the presidential guards.
Ekenge said on TV that the attempted government takeover was stopped by the Congolese military and police and everything is ok now. He also said that three Americans, including Malanga’s son, were involved in the plot.
The attack happened when Tshisekedi’s ruling party was already dealing with a crisis over a parliamentary election. This election was supposed to happen on Saturday but got postponed.
