Escom losing K1bn to vandalism annually

Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) says it is losing an average of five transformers per week due to vandalism

In a statement dated March 9 2022, the electricity power supplier said transformer vandalism is leading to loss of Escom revenue which also cripples service delivery in health, education and private sectors.

The increase in cases of theft and vandalism deprived Escom of revenue estimated at K1 billion between 2019 and June 2020.

Reads the communication in part: “It is a serious offence; punishable by law to tamper with Escom assets as such malpractices contravene the Electricity Act.

“Going forward, we have heightened our security mechanisms, including continuation of community sensitisation campaigns, to create awareness on the impact of vandalism and theft to service delivery and how that puts the lives of the perpetrators and the public at risk.”

So far, theft of Escom equipment has landed six people in jail, while five await trial and two persons have been electrocuted since last month, according to the police.

In the most recent incident, Lingadzi Police spokesperson Salome Zgambo said a man was electrocuted while cutting off stay wires for a high voltage line behind Bingu National Stadium near Mtandire Township in Lilongwe on Monday March  7 2022.

“His remains are at Kamuzu Central Hospital Mortuary waiting for identification. Ours is a piece of advice that it is dangerous and counterproductive to tamper with Escom cables. Please desist from vandalising Escom property,” she said.

Early last month, 20-year-old Alfred Levison was also electrocuted while vandalising Escom copper cables at Kanengo in Lilongwe, according to the police.

Another incident was reported in Balaka where the police arrested Maxwell Nasekwa, 35, Patrick Nasekwa, 30, and Innocent Christopher Sungani last week for a similar crime.

National Police spokesperson James Kadadzera said they also arrested some suspects in connection with the vandalism of an Escom transformer and the subsequent theft of its copper cables at Andiamo in Balaka on February 25 this year.

He said: “Two of the suspects are ex-convicts of similar offences, as they are on record to have stolen Escom copper wire at Ndunde in Chiradzulu before invading Balaka. Investigations are at an advanced stage to arrest two more suspects.”

He said the suspects will appear in court soon to answer charges of theft and vandalism of Escom property contrary to sections 45 (2) (d) of the Electricity Act and Section 278 of the Penal Code. Such offences carry custodial sentences, according to police.

Six other people have since been jailed for similar offences in other parts of the country since last month.

On February 11 2022, Mzuzu Magistrate’s Court jailed Howard Mvula, 35, and James Kanyenda, 43, for 18 years for vandalising Escom copper cables worth K114 520.

On February 21 2022, Ntcheu Magistrate’s Court fined  28-year-old Frank Windilosi K500 000, or in default to serve a four-year jail term, after convicting him of theft and vandalism of Escom cables in the district.

The corporation has since urged community members to play a role in safeguarding Escom assets by reporting suspicious persons found tampering with transformers.

Escom public relation manager Innocent Chitosi said in an interview yesterday that the corporation has engaged State security agencies to enhance patrols and security for Escom equipment and premises.

Meanwhile, Kadadzera has said police are treating Escom transformer vandalism as a matter of urgency and have put in place extra measures to end the vice.

“This trend will definitely go down because in most cases those who steal are the same people,” he said

An Escom official said a transformer can cost between K2 million to K15 million or even more.