By Hopeson Kafumbwa, Public Relations Intern
Third Grade Magistrate’s Court sitting at Domasi in Zomba on Thursday fined two men K300,000 each or serve 18 months in prison in default after finding them guilty of tampering with the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) transformer.
Domasi Police Station Officer-In-Charge, Eric Sokwane, confirmed the punishment meted out on 38-year-old Ephraim Mavuto Lucius and Cassim Ishmael aged 21, who both live in the same area but work at different maize mills.
“One convict paid the fine and the other one failed and is being kept at Zomba Maximum Prison,” Sokwane said.
He said community members alerted the law enforcers that the men were tampering with the transformer using two bamboos, gloves and ladder in Domasi. The men did not steal from the transformer.
“Stealing, vandalising and tampering with Escom installations is a major problem here, in Zomba, and the police, in conjunction with community policing forums, are trying their best to curb the malpractice. We warn the public against indulging in such malpractices,” he said.
Sokwane urged community members to refrain from tampering with Escom assets, as it affects service delivery such as for health, education, and business sectors.
Lucius hails from Kateya Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Chamba, Machinga District while Ishmael is from Namalaka Village, T/A Malemia in Zomba.
Vandalising Escom assets is an offence attracting a maximum 30-year jail term with no option of paying a fine as per the Electricity Amendment Act of 2024.