By Cosmas Kaunga,Â
Police in Lilongwe arrested four individuals on Saturday, January 18, 2025 in connection with a series of vandalism cases targeting the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) Limited assets.
The suspects are Xu Hongxiang (62), a Chinese national, and Malawians—Eliko Frackson (25) of Nsalu Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Kabudula, Lilongwe; Frezer Crement (26) of Chidzenje Village, T/A Kalolo, Lilongwe; and Yamala Lameck (29) of T/A Nsema in Mulanje.
During the operation at a warehouse in Lilongwe, the police and ESCOM security team recovered over 40 bags of stolen copper wires, amounting to approximately 18 tonnes suspected to have been stolen from various sites of the power utility company.
Commenting on the arrests, National Police Deputy Spokesperson, Harry Namwaza, said they have stepped up efforts to combat vandalism targeting assets for utility companies such as ESCOM.
“We are working closely with ESCOM and other affected institutions to ensure that individuals involved in vandalizing, stealing, or trading stolen items are brought to justice,” he said.
Namwaza attributed the rise in vandalism to the availability of lucrative markets for stolen materials.
“We urge all Malawians to report any suspicious activities involving ESCOM property to the police. Together, we can protect our infrastructure and support the country’s development,” he said.
ESCOM Acting Regional Manager for the Centre, MacDowel Kumatso, lamented the devastating impact of vandalism on the corporation’s operations.
“For example, the Chinese national was buying copper at K15,000 per kilogramme. With over 15 tonnes of copper wire confiscated, the financial loss to ESCOM is substantial,” he said.
Kumatso noted that vandalism continues to hinder ESCOM’s ability to expand its services.
“We are forced to redirect resources to repair and replace vandalized equipment, delaying our efforts to connect new areas to the electricity grid,” he said.
The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
Being found in possession of stolen ESCOM equipment and vandalising the same are offences that attract a maximum 30-year jail term with no option of paying a fine. This is according to the Electricity Amendment Act of 2024.
Ends.
