Efforts to protect ESCOM infrastructure continue to yield results, with recent court cases in Thyolo and Lilongwe leading to the successful prosecution of individuals involved in vandalism and illegal electricity connections.
In Thyolo, Nyson Mizati, 30, from Mzuwa Village under Traditional Authority Mchiramwera, was sentenced to six years imprisonment with hard labour by the Thyolo Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court for vandalizing an ESCOM transformer.
According to State Prosecutor Inspector Ishmael Abubast, the matter was reported on 19th February 2026 after the transformer was found vandalized by unknown individuals.
“The incident occurred at Msuwazi Trading Centre, where the damage was estimated at K7,500,000. Following investigations, the suspect was apprehended and found guilty of vandalizing critical electricity infrastructure,” he said.
In delivering the ruling, Chief Resident Magistrate Shyreen Yona emphasized the seriousness of the offence.
“Such offences cause financial loss to ESCOM due to the cost of maintenance and repairs and such cases are rampant in the district.”
In a separate case in Lilongwe, Makenzie Dyson, 34, was convicted by the Lilongwe Magistrate Court for illegally constructing a low-voltage electricity line and tampering with ESCOM apparatus at Kamphata Trading Centre. He was fined K1,000,000, with a default sentence of 36 months imprisonment with hard labour. Additionally, he received a 24-month sentence, which was suspended for 12 months, on the second count.
The court heard that Dyson was apprehended on 15th February 2026 by officers from Nathenje Police Post while committing the offence.
According to ESCOM’s Acting Chief Security Officer, Laban Makalani, the police were alerted by an ESCOM employee who established the unauthorized construction.
“During questioning, Dyson admitted the offense and confessed to tampering with three electricity meters supplying houses in the area,” he added.
After failing to pay the fine, Dyson has since been remanded to Maula Prison to serve the 36-month sentence.
These high-profile convictions highlight ESCOM’s zero-tolerance stance against illegal connections, meter tampering and theft, which threaten power infrastructure and public safety across Malawi.
