Four handed 18-year jail term each over vandalism of ESCOM transformer in Thyolo

The convicts captured in court on Friday

* The ruling on Friday, June 26, has been widely lauded by energy officials as a powerful deterrent against the growing wave of infrastructure sabotage across the country

Maravi Express

In a major victory against utility theft, Thyolo Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court has sentenced four men each to 18 years in prison for vandalising an Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) transformer valued at K15.7 million.

The convicts — Emmanuel Zulu, Raphael Katopola, Steven Elatoni and Paul Kabudula — were reported to the court that they ambushed ESCOM’s on-site security, tied them up before systematically dismantling the transformer. 

The MK15.7 million worth transformer was completely destroyed beyond repair and during the raid, the vandals also robbed one of the security officers’ of his mobile phone and gumboots.

However, the gang’s escape was short-lived as a vigilant community member spotted the men fleeing with the mangled remains of the transformer and immediately raised an alarm.

Community policing members swiftly intervened and apprehended the suspects and handed them over to the police.

The heavy sentence, delivered on Friday, June 26, reflects Malawi’s toughening legal stance on utility theft and has been widely lauded by energy officials as a powerful deterrent against the growing wave of infrastructure sabotage across the country.

Under the recently enacted Electricity (Amendment) Act of 2024, the State has significantly increased penalties to combat the vice as both the vandalism of electricity equipment and the possession of stolen infrastructure now carry a maximum penalty of up to 30 years’ imprisonment.

Welcoming the 18-year jail term, ESCOM Chief Public Relations & Communications Officer, Pilirani Phiri, stated that the judgment vindicates the corporation’s zero-tolerance stance on the destruction of public infrastructure.

“We are extremely pleased with this outcome and commend the Court for the firm sentence,” he said adding that 18 years “is a significant term, and it reflects just how seriously the law treats those who destroy electricity infrastructure.

“Our hope is that this judgment deters others who may be contemplating similar acts,” Phiri said, while emphasised that the socio-economic impact of such crimes extends far beyond financial losses for the utility provider.

“Electricity belongs to all Malawians — when a transformer is destroyed, it is not ESCOM alone that suffers; it is the schools, the hospitals, the businesses, and the homes that lose power.”

ESCOM, which has registered 138 cases of vandalism in the past six months alone, loses about K3 billion every year due to replacement of vandalised infrastructure.