- ESCOM losses billions to vandalism
- The company lost at least K1 billion from June 2020 to date
Malawian state-owned firm Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi ( ESCOM) has lost at least K1 billion to equipment vandalism in the last twelve months. Public Relations Manager Innocent Chitosi stated that the company had lost equipment from June 2020 to date due to the vandalisation of transformers, meters, towers, and cables. Chitosi added that the vandalism had affected the steady supply of electricity in affected areas.
Pleading with customers, Chitosi said, “We appeal to all Malawians that should they see anyone vandalising Escom’s property, they must report them to the police”. He also noted that ESCOM has embarked on an anti-vandalism campaign to sensitise customers to the dangers of tampering with electrical equipment. “We appeal to the general public to stay away from tampering or stealing ESCOM’s electrical property; it is dangerous and life-threatening. The wages of stealing electrical property is death”, he warned.
Earlier this week, a vandal sustained 1st-degree burns while tampering with electrical equipment. “Police found him lying on his back. There was a hacksaw next to him. Kadzibwa had serious burn wounds all over his body”, Chitosi said. The suspect is currently fighting for his life at a medical centre in Blantyre.