Police in Nkhata Bay are hunting for people who vandalised Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) copper cables valued at K3.1 million in the district.
Nkhata Bay Police Station deputy spokesperson Devoter Mithi said the vandalism has plunged Phiri Singo and Pundu areas into darkness.
She said they received a report from Escom’s Nkhata Bay office that unidentified people vandalised cables in the two areas in the lakeshore district.
in Nkhata Bay. I Rodgers Jere
Said Mithi: “The people allegedly stole a 23-metre Escom copper cable from the main transformer to the tapping pole at Phiri Singo and they also vandalised the same line at Pundu area.
“The matter was reported to Nkhata Bay Police Station and police detectives visited the crime scene where it was confirmed that a dual copper cable wire was stolen.”
She said investigations are underway to trace the perpetrators and recover the stolen cable wires.
Recently, Escom chief public relations officer Pilirani Phiri called for collective action in fighting vandalism, saying the malpractice undermines efforts to provide reliable power supply.
“We reiterate our plea to the public and all our stakeholders to help us combat vandalism. We need everyone’s support to overcome this vice, which is retrogressive and paralyses our efforts towards reliable power supply,” he said.
According to the Electricity Amendment Act of 2024, being found in possession of stolen Escom equipment and vandalising the same are offences that attract a maximum of a 30-year jail term with no option of a fine
