A football referee has died after being assaulted by players during a match at Mchenga Primary School in Chipangali District, Eastern Province of Zambia, following a dispute over refereeing decisions.
The incident happened yesterday during a fixture between Mikango United and Leopards Football Club in a tournament sponsored by area Member of Parliament Andrew Lubusha.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as 55-year-old Donald Tonga, who is alleged to have been attacked by players from Mikango United.
Mweemba explained that the match was a replay after the original game, played on Tuesday 5 May 2026, was abandoned when a penalty decision was awarded to Leopards Football Club while Mikango United were leading 2-1.
He said Tonga’s son had initially officiated the abandoned match before organisers appointed the deceased to take charge of the replay.
According to police, tension escalated after Tonga was accused of failing to award a foul. This sparked a confrontation in which Mikango United players allegedly assaulted him with kicks and punches.
“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,” reads part of the report.
Tonga was taken to Chamasongo Clinic, where medical staff pronounced him dead upon arrival.
Police say investigations into the incident have been launched.
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