Six people have been arrested in Lilongwe on suspicion that they were behind the vandalism of 16 transformers in several locations of the capital city between July and November 2024.
Lilongwe Police Station spokesperson, Hastings Chigalu, confirmed the arrest of Manuel Banda, Mustafa Wisdom Machemba, Chikumbutso Lameck, Jawadu Buleya, Yamikani Thambo and Yamikani Batani between November 7 and 11, 2024.
“During interrogation, apart from the latest incident, the suspects revealed to have also vandalized Escom transformers and stole property at Nkhoma CCAP Mission in July, Kamphata Trading Centre in August, Mlale Mission in Mitundu, Dzaleka in Dowa and Kunthembwe in Ntchisi, all in October this year,” he said.
The suspects appeared before the Lilongwe First Grade Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, to answer a vandalism charge.
The offence attracts a 30-year jail term with no option of a fine.
Lilongwe First Grade Magistrate, Imran Phiri, ordered that the suspects be remanded at Maula Prison for 10 days pending the conclusion of investigations.
ESCOM Chief Public Relations Officer, Kitty Chingota, has since condemned the continued vandalism of the corporation’s infrastructure.
The power utility company has lost over K4 billion in the last two years due to cases of vandalism of its infrastructure.
