A 55-YEARS-OLD man of Chipangali District has allegedly been brutally murdered by football players and supporters of Mikango United following a disputed match during a local tournament sponsored by Chipangali Member of Parliament Andrew Lubusha.
The incident happened on Thursday afternoon at Mchenga Primary School Ground in Chief Mafuta’s area, where a replayed football match between Mikango United and Leopard United turned violent.
According to Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba, the matter was reported to Mgubudu Police Post around 14:30 hours through a phone call made by the deceased’s son, Jones Tonga, 30, of Madalistso Farm in Chief Mafuta’s area.
Jones Tonga informed police that his biological father, Donald Tonga, 55, was allegedly attacked and killed by players and supporters of Mikango United Football Team from Raban Village in Chief Mshaba’s area.
“During the first half of the match, a foul was committed but the referee did not blow the whistle. This angered players from Mikango United, who protested and immediately started assaulting the referee,” Mweemba narrates to TV Yatu.
“He attempted to run away for safety, but the players together with their supporters chased after him and continued beating him using fists, kicks, stones, sticks and a bamboo stick,” he shares.
The Eastern Province Police Chief says Donald Tonga, the deceased sustained a deep cut on the left side of the head, which was the only visible injury found on his body.
Investigations reveal that the violence stemmed from tensions during the ongoing Andrew Lubusha Football Tournament, which was organized on April 25, 2026, in Chief Mafuta’s chiefdom and surrounding areas.
The tournament, involving 16 teams and a prize money of K5,000, had reportedly progressed peacefully until May 5, when confusion erupted during a match involving Mikango United and Leopard United.
Mikango United was leading 2-1 in the 77th minute when a penalty was awarded to Leopard United, triggering disputes among players and forcing the match to be postponed.
A meeting involving both teams was later held on May 6, where it was agreed that the game would restart from the first minute.
The replayed match resumed on Thursday around 11:40 hours, officiated by the now deceased Donald Tonga after the officially appointed referee, who is his son, failed to turn up.
Police say supporters and players from Leopard United did not participate in the assault, although some fans attempted to rescue the referee but failed.
Donald Tonga was rushed to Chamasongo Clinic where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
“Police officers visited the clinic and found the body lying in a pool of blood.
“No arrests have been made yet, while a postmortem examination is still pending. Investigations have since been instituted to bring the suspects to book,” Mweemba shares.
©️ TV Yatu May 8, 2026.
