By Labani Makalani
The First Grade Magistrate Court in Mchinji has convicted and sentenced a 42-year-old man to four years imprisonment with hard labour for vandalising ESCOM assets in the western border district.
Prosecutor Sub Inspector Yotam Chaonaine of Mchinji Police Station confirmed that Magistrate Yohane Nkhata passed the judgement on the convict—James Solomoni—on March 14, 2024.
Chaonaine said members of the community caught Solomoni vandalizing the conductors on March 11, 2024 before assaulting him severely and then handing him over to the police.
Solomoni pleaded guilty before the court to the charges of theft and vandalism of the conductors valued at K297,600.00
Passing the sentence, the magistrate condemned the tendency of vandalizing ESCOM property in the country.
He said ESCOM invests a lot of money in its infrastructure which serves the public.
Nkhata, therefore, sentenced Solomoni to a 48-month imprisonment with hard labour.
Before being sentenced, the convict was admitted to Mchinji District Hospital following his assault.
Solomoni hails originally from Chikuma Village, Traditional Authority Nkhumba in Phalombe District.