A British documentary maker has been captured on camera at the centre of a “harrowing” violent tribal conflict in the Congo.
Livia Simoka, from London, found herself caught up in the violence between two tribes and stepped in to stop a man from being murdered.
She was filming Channel 4 documentary Extreme Tribe: The Last Pygmies, where she visited the turbulent region to see the village of Bonguinda.
After living with the Mbendjele tribe, she was shocked to discover their treatment by residents of rival village Bantu, who claim that they “own” Mbendjele families.
Ms Simoka witnessed a violent conflict between two men from the rival tribes and intervened when one man attempted to drag another off into the jungle.
She watched as one Bantu man, Prince, shouted: “I swear he must be killed.”
Other people tried to hold the men back as one woman could be heard screaming: “I beg you, have mercy.”
Ms Simoka intervened and stood in front of Prince demanding that he “chill out a little bit”.
Viewers praised her “bravery” at stepping in and filming the "harrowing" exchange.
One person wrote: "Really liking Livia Simoka’s #extremetribe, after having put up with (and gone off very quickly) with Stacey Dooley, this is so refreshing and enjoyable asking real life questions and fantastic delivery and bravery!"
While another said: “This is such a interesting watch, difficult and harrowing at times but overall fascinating.”
Another added: “Very difficult watch but really educational definitely recommended!”
