26-Year-Old Man Arrested for Vandalizing ESCOM Poles, Stealing Conductor Wires

MALAWI - A man, 26, from Sinyala Village, Lilongwe District, has been arrested for vandalizing five ESCOM poles and stealing 1500 m of conductor wires valued at K9,750,000, writes Tionge Hara.

Lilongwe Police spokesperson, Inspector Hastings Chigalu, has confirmed the arrest of Nevas Chimphanje.

The incident occurred on Friday, March 3, 2023, at Kaweche Village in Traditional Authority Masumbankhunda in Lilongwe District.

Reports indicate that Chimphanje was caught by Katete Forest Rangers, who were patrolling around Dzalanyama Forest Reserve.

They found the suspect cutting down the poles using an axe, and five poles had already been taken down by this time.

Upon receiving the report, the police immediately rushed to the scene and collected the suspect. Investigations are currently underway to trace and recover the stolen conductor wires.

Chimphanje will be appearing in court soon to answer any applicable charges.