Dzaleka : suspicious death of a Burundian refugee after a collision with police, more than 2 million kwacha missing

SOS Médias Burundi

Dzaleka, October 7, 2026 — A Burundian refugee died Tuesday morning after being struck by a police vehicle while riding his motorcycle, about three kilometers from the Dzaleka refugee camp in Malawi. Eric Niyongabo, a well-known trader and businessman in the camp, originally from the Muyinga region of Buhumuza province in northeastern Burundi, was reportedly carrying a large sum of money, according to his relatives. This money is believed to have disappeared after the accident, fueling their suspicions about the circumstances of the tragedy.

The accident occurred as Eric Niyongabo was traveling to an urban center to purchase goods for his business. He was riding his motorcycle when he was struck by the police vehicle.

Seriously injured, he was evacuated to Dowa District Central Hospital. Despite receiving treatment, he succumbed to his injuries.

According to his family, Eric Niyongabo was carrying more than two million Malawian kwacha, equivalent to over US$1,000. His relatives claim that this money disappeared after the accident and suspect he may have been robbed before being taken to the hospital.

“We are convinced that the money was taken by the first people on the scene, including police officers,” a family member alleges.

These accusations, which have not been independently verified, fuel the family’s questions about what happened in the moments following the collision. They are demanding an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the accident and establish what happened to the money the trader was carrying.

Eric Niyongabo’s death comes amid growing concerns about security in and around the Dzaleka camp. Refugees regularly report cases of theft, assault, and robbery, particularly targeting traders.

According to camp residents, refugees are especially vulnerable when they leave Dzaleka for their business activities. They are calling for increased protection and a more effective security presence, especially on the roads used by those traveling to nearby urban centers.

The Dzaleka camp now hosts more than 50,000 people, several times its original capacity. Among them are more than 11,000 Burundian refugees. This high population density exacerbates the difficulties related to living conditions, access to services, and security.

For many refugees, small-scale trading is also an important source of income. Traders must regularly leave the camp to buy or sell goods, exposing them to additional risks on the roads and in the surrounding areas.

The death of Eric Niyongabo has thus reignited concerns within the Burundian community of Dzaleka. His family is demanding a full investigation into the accident, as well as the alleged disappearance of the money he was carrying.

The local police had not yet responded to the family’s accusations at the time of publication. An investigation will be necessary to establish the circumstances of the collision, any potential liability, and what actually happened before the trader was taken to the hospital.