Residents in some section of Chilomoni Township in Blantyre have had no electricity since September 30 due to vandalism of a transformer.
Escom spokesperson Kitty Chingota said in a response to a questionnaire that her organisation was expected to fix the transformer yesterday or today.
The area affected is Chilomoni Zambezi, the Nthukwa area, and according to Chingota, Escom has been able to repair the 400kva transformer and were working on logistics to get it reconnected.
Chingota said: “On the day the Zambezi transformer was vandalised, it rained, so water sipped into the transformer and contaminated the oil. The transformer had to go through a lengthy drying process to clear off the water, hence the delay.”
Escom appealed to the Zambezi community and the public to join hands with Escom and take keen interest in security of transformers serving their areas because this was the third time to replace a transformer at Zambezi due to vandalism.
The response reads in part: “We commend communities in Mulunguzi, Sigerege, Ndirande, Magalasi, Manje, Chapima Heights areas to mention but a few, for mobilising themselves and taking ownership of the electricity infrastructure supplying their communities.”
Meanwhile, Escom managed to replace a 200kva transformer at Sanjika Palace compound in Blantyre on September 30 after it was vandalised on September 28, according to Chingota.
