LWB to realise K226m from illegal connections

Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) is likely to realise about K226 million from illegal water connections by registered and unregistered clients.

LWB records indicate that out of 104 suspected cases of illegal connections 54 were recorded between October last year and February this year.

Five of the connections were made by commercial customers, two were made by institutional customers and 47 were made by residential customers.

Out of the 54 cases, 38 of the suspects were charged and fined various amounts totalling about K226 million, according to LWB assistant spokesperson Maurice Nkawihe.

“The amount is a value of an estimated 77 cubic litres which is believed to have been lost due to the malpractice,” he said.

Nkawihe said five people, including Billy Matchado who once worked for LWB as a plumber, were arrested in February for illegal water connection.

“We are losing a lot of money due to illegal connections, the reason we have decided to handle all illegal connections cases as criminal cases. We are working hand in hand with Malawi Police Service to ensure all perpetrators face the law,” he said.

Nkawihe said this is not the first time Matchado has been apprehended on similar charges.

Lilongwe Police Station spokesperson Kingsley Dandaula said the suspects will appear before court soon to answer various charges. n