Shivangi Sinha
In February 2015, Balenga Kalala was overseeing the funeral of his wife, Noela Rukundo, in Melbourne, Australia. He told his family that she had traveled to Bujumbura, Burundi, for her stepmother’s funeral and had been involved in an accident. However, as the guests departed, Noela appeared before Kalala and confronted him, asking why he had attempted to have her killed. Lifetime’s 2021 movie ‘Death Saved My Life’ is based on these shocking events, in which Kalala’s plot to murder his wife failed, and he had to face the repercussions. Chiké Okonkwo’s portrayal of Ed seems to be influenced by his character, and he skillfully brings out the emotional depth of the role.
Balenga Kalala Hired People to Kill His Wife and Mother to Three of His Kids
Balenga Kento Kalala was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and spent much of his early life there. He married and had children, but his life was shattered when the rebel army attacked his village, and his wife and young son were killed. Fleeing the violence, he arrived in Melbourne, Australia, in 2004. He continued his education at both The University of Melbourne and the University of East Anglia (UEA). As his career prospects grew, he began working at a seafood processing company and later as a forklift operator in a warehouse. He also maintained connections with social organizations that supported others from his community who had settled in the same foreign land.
Since Kalala was fluent in English, social workers often introduced him to other people, and he would assist them with the language. This is how he met Noela Rukundo, who had immigrated from Bujumbura, Burundi. Noela had five children from previous relationships but found a partner in Kalala. The two fell in love and settled in the Kings Park suburb of Melbourne, Australia, where they had two boys and a girl together. Noela later revealed that while she had always known him to be an abusive man, she never anticipated the events that would unfold later.
On February 17, 2015, Noela traveled to her hometown to attend her stepmother’s funeral. After a long and emotional day, she returned to her hotel room, where Kalala called her. He asked about her day, and when she mentioned that it was quite hot, he insisted she step outside for some fresh air. Following his advice, she went outside, only to be abducted by a stranger at gunpoint. The man blindfolded her, placed her in a car, and took her to a building. It was there that the abductors revealed they had been hired by her husband to kill her. They said Kalala had paid them about $7,000 to carry out the crime.
Balenga Kalala Was Extremely Shocked to See His Wife Because He Believed Her to be Dead
The abductors even called Balenga Kalala, and Noela Rukundo overheard him ordering them to kill her. Meanwhile, when her family became concerned and reached out to Kalala for help, he immediately offered assistance. He sent money to help initiate an investigation. However, after two days of being held captive, the gang hired to kill Noela decided against carrying out the job. They allegedly refused to harm women and children. She was instructed to run away, and once freed, she made her way back to confront Kalala. On February 22, 2015, she returned to Melbourne, Australia.
Meanwhile, Kalala had told friends and family that Noela had died in an accident while she was in her hometown. He even hosted well-wishers who, in their sympathy, donated money to help him and his children. Around 7:30 pm, when most visitors had left, Kalala saw Noela approaching him. According to Noela, he was visibly shocked and scared and immediately started to apologize. In December 2015, during his trial, he pled guilty and said that he had suspected his wife of having an affair, which made him extremely jealous. He claimed that jealousy was his motivation for wanting to kill her, and again, he apologized.
Balenga Kalala is Most Likely Still in Prison Today
The prosecution presented taped recordings from Noela’s abductors, in which they had discussed Kalala’s orders to kill her, as well as his own confession, where he admitted everything and apologized. On December 11, 2015, he was sentenced to 9 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 6 years. He became eligible for parole in 2022, but it is unclear whether he has been released. He has remained largely out of the public eye, so even if he has been released, he appears to be keeping a low profile.
Read More: Noela Rukundo: What Happened to the Abuse Survivor?
