Men sent to prison for vandalizing electricity infrastructure
The Chief Resident Magistrate Court in Thyolo has sentenced four people to 18 years in prison for vandalising an ESCOM transformer at Khonjeni in the district earlier this year.
The four convicts, identified as Emmanuel Zulu, Raphael Katopola, Steven Elatoni and Paul Kabudula, pleaded guilty to three counts of vandalising electricity equipment, being found in possession of equipment stolen from ESCOM, and robbery.
According to ESCOM, the transformer, valued at MK15.7 million, was completely destroyed, leaving surrounding communities without electricity.
During the incident, the suspects also tied up security guards and robbed one of them of personal property.
Meanwhile,ESCOM has welcomed the court’s ruling, describing it as a strong warning against the destruction of electricity infrastructure.
The corporation also praised community members and the Malawi Police Service for their swift action, which led to the arrest and successful prosecution of the offenders.
