By Cosmas Kaunga—ESCOM Outreach Officer
A man has been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment in Mzuzu after being convicted of vandalism, impersonation, and theft offences involving Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) Limited assets in the Northern Region city.
Mzuzu Senior Resident Magistrate Harawa handed 39-year-old Muloyiso Gondwe a sentence of 11 years imprisonment for vandalism and one year for impersonation and theft on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.
“This court has repeatedly warned against vandalism of ESCOM infrastructure, which not only disrupts power supply but also endangers lives. A stiff penalty is necessary to deter others from engaging in similar acts,” Harawa said when passing judgment.
Gondwe had, before the judgment, pleaded not guilty to the charges, prompting the State to present three witnesses who testified against him. After reviewing the evidence, the court found him guilty on all charges.
During mitigation, Gondwe, originally from Kalundi Village, Traditional Authority Chikulamayembe in Rumphi, pleaded for leniency, saying he was the sole provider for his elderly mother and orphans.
However, Senior Resident Magistrate Harawa dismissed his plea, emphasizing the severity of his actions and the risks posed by vandalizing electricity infrastructure.
ESCOM Security Sergeant for the Northern Region, Cliff Kaligwenjere said community members caught Gondwe while he was removing anti-climbers and tower members in Embombeni area on November 14, 2024, at around 3:00 pm.
He claimed to be an ESCOM worker conducting corridor clearing after being confronted by the community members.
“However, suspicion grew when the community later spotted him dismantling parts of the tower structure,” Kaligwenjere said.
“Realizing the potential danger of such vandalism, they confronted him. As he attempted to flee on a motorcycle, the community intercepted him and alerted ESCOM security. Security officers instructed the locals to hold him until police arrived. He was later taken to Mzuzu Police Station for further investigations,” he said.
The three offences contravene sections of the Electricity Amendment Act of 2024.
Vandalism of ESCOM infrastructure remains a serious concern which can attract a maximum of 30 years imprisonment and a fine of K100 million.
ESCOM has since warned the public about the dangers of tampering with electricity infrastructure, urging them to report suspicious activities to the police.
