Manson Simbeye and Patrick Mpepu will spend eight years and six years in jail respectively for vandalism, theft and possession of Escom Limited’s aluminium conductors in Mzuzu, valued at K6 million.
Police prosecutor Betty Gondwe Msowoya confirmed that Senior Resident Magistrate Ashford Harawa delivered the judgement.
The accused persons had pleaded not guilty to the charges, leading to a full trial on Mwepu for theft and possession of stolen Escom items and Simbeye for vandalism and theft charges.
“I told the court that the conductors that were stolen and vandalized were meant for a health facility at Mazamba; hence, the facility was denied power supply in that period. The convicts’ actions also undermine the country’s efforts to develop infrastructure,” she said.
In mitigation, Simbeye asked for lenience, citing family obligations whereas Mpepu also asked for mercy, saying he would be unable to repay a loan he took from a financial institution while in jail.
On April 23 2024, police in Mzuzu arrested Simbeye and Mpepu, together with three other suspects who were acquitted, on suspicion of having committed the offences in Mchengautuba.
Escom has lost K4 billion in revenue and replacement costs in the last two years due to theft and vandalism.
