By Cosmas Kaunga, ESCOM Outreach Officer
The fight against vandalism and theft of the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) Limited has taken a new twist following the arrest of two herbalists in Rumphi and Nkhata Bay, suspected of extracting oil from transformers for use in curing patients.
Nkhata Bay Police Station Criminal Investigation Officer, Manuel Kafamveka, confirmed the arrest of 25-year-old Wale Nyirenda at a roadblock in Chiweta, Rumphi on Thursday, February 20, 2025, for allegedly being found in possession of five litres of transformer oil.
Earlier, ESCOM Security Sergeant for Northern Region, Cliff Kaligwenjere, said Nyirenda claimed to have obtained the transformer oil from a fellow herbalist in Usisya, Nkhata Bay, and was en-route to Chiweta to treat a patient. Nyirenda allegedly used the oil as a traditional medicine.
“On February 28, we visited Usisya with the police to continue with the investigation, which led us to 79-year-old Grive Mhone from Thandata Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Mbwana, Nkhata Bay,” Kaligwenjere said.
“Mhone admitted to having given Nyirenda the transformer oil, explaining that he used it to cure leg disorders. Nyirenda and Mhone are well-known herbalists in the area.”
The duo will soon appear in court to answer charges of vandalism and theft of electricity infrastructure, in contravention of the Electricity Amendment Act of 2024. Vandalism of ESCOM assets attracts a 30-year jail term with no option of paying a fine.
This arrest follows ESCOM’s month-long anti-vandalism and safety campaign in February 2025 in the Northern Region, to raise awareness in local communities about the importance of reporting suspected vandalism and theft of the Corporation’s infrastructure.
ESCOM also encourages the public to report suspicious activities related to vandalism or theft of its equipment via toll-free line 847 (Airtel/TNM). The Corporation rewards individuals who provide information leading to the successful prosecution of offenders.
ESCOM loses billions of kwacha in lost revenue and replacement costs of Transmission and Distribution assets such as transformers, poles, earth mats, stay wires and copper wires.