By Burnett Munthali
In a heart-wrenching incident that has left the community in shock, a woman and her young child lost their lives in Mwanza when an ESCOM electric pole collapsed on them. The tragic event occurred as the mother was walking with her child, passing under the pole, which unexpectedly gave way.
According to eyewitnesses, the pole, which was reportedly in a state of disrepair, came crashing down without warning. Locals rushed to the scene to rescue the victims, but their efforts were in vain. Both the mother and child succumbed to their injuries on the spot.
Community members have expressed outrage and sorrow over the incident, pointing fingers at ESCOM for negligence in maintaining its infrastructure. Many residents claim that the pole had been leaning dangerously for months, but no action was taken despite repeated complaints to the authorities.
“This is a tragedy that could have been avoided,” said one local leader. “We have been living in fear of these poles for a long time, and now we are paying the price with lives lost.”
Social media has been flooded with messages of condolence for the bereaved family and calls for ESCOM to be held accountable. The incident has also reignited debates about the safety and reliability of Malawi’s power infrastructure, with critics demanding urgent reforms to prevent similar tragedies.
In response, ESCOM has issued a statement expressing deep regret over the incident. The utility company has promised a thorough investigation to establish the cause of the collapse and has pledged to provide support to the grieving family.
As Mwanza mourns the loss of the mother and her child, questions about public safety and corporate responsibility remain unanswered. The community, still reeling from the tragedy, is calling for justice and meaningful action to ensure such an incident never happens again.
This devastating event serves as a painful reminder of the importance of maintaining public infrastructure to protect lives. As investigations continue, the nation watches closely, hoping for accountability and change.
