By Blessings Preston Memena and Tracy Mtegha.

Mzuzu, April 24, Mana: Mzuzu Police have arrested five people in Sonda for alleged theft of property belonging to Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom).

Speaking Wednesday in an interview with Malawi News Agency, Assistant Public Relations Officer for Mzuzu Police Station, Rose Chipyola said the suspects were arrested on Tuesday following a report from Escom’s security officers who were on duty in the night of Monday at Mazamba in Chikangawa area.

According to Chipyola, the officers intercepted a motorcycle rider transporting property suspected to belong to Escom and the suspect managed to escape.

“The officers intercepted the rider who abandoned the motorcycle with Escom wire on it. They then reported the issue to Mchengautuba Police Unit where detectives through intelligence collection managed to arrest the rider,” said Chipyola.

Shen added that later, police arrested four other suspects at Sonda after they were suspected of melting stolen Escom wire to make aluminum pots.

“The suspects are currently in police custody for further investigation and had their property confiscated,” Chipyola said.

She said the suspects are, Manson Simbeye 30 of Namapanje Village, Raymond Simbeye 35 of Bulamawe Village both from Traditional Authority (TA) Wenya Chitipa District.

“The others are Shadreck Sambo 20 from Mwaphoka Village under TA Kabunduli in Nkhata Bay District, Patrick Mpepu 29 of Maholya Village and Emmanuel Bamusi 42 of Mukumpha Village both under TA Nkhumba in Phalombe District,” said Chipyola