Police in Lilongwe have launched an intensive manhunt for criminals who vandalized an Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) transformer, stealing valuable copper wiring from it in the early hours of Wednesday, November 6, 2024. The incident took place at Mlale Farm in Mitundu, Lilongwe.
Lilongwe Police Spokesperson, Hastings Chigalu, explained that the transformer had already been out of service, having been struck by lightning a few days prior to the incident. “On the night of the said date, unknown culprits pulled down the transformer, dismantled it, and stole all the copper wires inside, the value of which is yet to be determined,” Chigalu reported.
The theft adds to a growing list of infrastructure-related crimes impacting public utilities. Copper, frequently targeted by thieves due to its high value on the black market, is vital to ESCOM’s infrastructure and power delivery.
This incident follows a recent conviction in Lilongwe, where the Principal Resident Magistrate’s Court sentenced James Banda to 12 years of hard labor for stealing aluminum wiring in Malingunde. Authorities hope the stiff sentence will serve as a deterrent, but the latest theft highlights the ongoing challenge ESCOM faces with infrastructure vandalism.
Police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around utility installations. ESCOM continues to appeal for community cooperation to protect public assets, as repeated vandalism disrupts power supply and incurs significant repair costs, impacting the economy and daily life.
