By Andrew Phiri

Balaka, August 24, Mana: Police in Balaka have arrested five people suspected of vandalizing and stealing Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) copper wires worth K7.5 million, a few days after police in Mangochi and Mwanza also arrested other men for similar offences.

Balaka Police Station, Public Relations Officer, Gladson M'bumpha identified, Rodgers Mkwanda, 28, Stanford Chabwera, 30, Christopher Kababe, 24, Ephron Mtambalika, 30 and Binton Banda, 41 as the suspects.

M`bumpha said the vandalism happened at night between August 18 and 19, 2024 at Govati Village and Phombeya Sub Station within Phalula area in Balaka.

“The suspects have been on the run until Thursday, August, 22, 2024 when the police arrested them,” he said.

He said Mkwanda and Chabwera will answer theft by servant charges, Kababe and Mtambalika on vandalism charges while Banda will answer charges of stealing stolen property in court soon.

In a related development, police in Mangochi on Thursday arrested Joseph Simeon, 40 for allegedly stealing ESCOM and Southern Region Water Board equipment in the district.

During night patrols, police intercepted a push bicycle tax operator carrying two bags containing 99 ESCOM fuses and cable wires and after investigations discovered that the stolen items belonged to Simeon.

Simeon was arrested after it was revealed that the stolen items belonged to him and that he has been involved in a series of vandalism and theft in many parts of Mangochi.

Recently, vandals targeted Mwanyama, Mosiya, Mgundaphiri, Kalonga and Mpondasi to vandalize ESCOM equipment such as transformers.  

In another development, Zalewa Magistrate Court on Friday convicted and sentenced Patrick Malikebu, 34 and Lonjezo Magaleta, 27, to seven years’ imprisonment with hard labour for vandalizing ESCOM property that included copper cables in Mwanza and Balaka.

Malikebu and Magaleta who have been involved in series of vandalism and theft of ESCOM equipment were convicted by the Zalewa Court.

Reacting to the series of vandalism, ESCOM Chief Public Relations Officer, Kitty Chingota has called on the public to collaborate with the corporation in dealing with vandalism and theft of ESCOM equipment.