COURT HANDS DOWN 18-YEAR JAIL TERM FOR ESCOM VANDALS IN THYOLO

In a major victory against utility theft, the Thyolo Chief Resident Magistrate Court has sentenced four men to 18 years in prison for vandalising an Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) transformer valued at MK15.7 million.

The ruling, delivered on Friday, June 26, 2026, has been widely lauded by energy officials as a powerful deterrent against the growing wave of infrastructure sabotage across the country.

​The convicts— have been identified as Emmanuel Zulu, Raphael Katopola, Steven Elatoni, and Paul Kabudula.

According to the court, they ambushed the on-site security guards, tying them up and restraining them before systematically dismantling the transformer.

During the raid, the men also robbed one of the guards of his mobile phone and gumboots. The MK15.7 million transformer was completely destroyed beyond repair during the incident.

However, ​the gang’s escape was short-lived as a vigilant community member spotted the men fleeing with the mangled remains of the transformer and immediately raised an alarm.

Local Community Policing Members swiftly intervened and apprehended the suspects and handed them over to the police.

​Welcoming the 18-year jail term, ESCOM Chief Public Relations and Communications Officer, Pilirani Phiri, stated that the judgment vindicates the corporation’s zero-tolerance stance on the destruction of public infrastructure.

​”We are extremely pleased with this outcome and commend the Court for the firm sentence. Eighteen years is a significant term, and it reflects just how seriously the law treats those who destroy electricity infrastructure. Our hope is that this judgment deters others who may be contemplating similar acts,” Phiri said.

​Phiri emphasized that the socio-economic impact of such crimes extends far beyond financial losses for the utility provider.

​”Electricity belongs to all Malawians — when a transformer is destroyed, it is not ESCOM alone that suffers; it is the schools, the hospitals, the businesses, and the homes that lose power.”

​The heavy sentence reflects Malawi’s toughening legal stance on utility theft. Under the recently enacted Electricity (Amendment) Act of 2024, the state has significantly increased penalties to combat the vice. Both the vandalism of electricity equipment and the possession of stolen infrastructure now carry a maximum penalty of up to 30 years’ imprisonment.