Court Rule in Favor of ESCOM Over Electricity Units Case

The High Court in Blantyre has ruled in favor of the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) Limited, in a case which was sued by Zhang Di Company. Zhang Di was  accused of buying cheap electricity units from former ESCOM workers and later demanding over K400 million in refunds.

According to the press statement released by ESCOM on 22 June, the case started on 17 May , 2022, where the company claimed that ESCOM had removed 801,621 kilowatts of power from its meters.

Judge Chifundo Kachale ruled that buying electricity from people who are not legally allowed to sell it is against the law.

Kachale also said that there was strong evidence the electricity units were bought from unauthorized sellers and that the company had tampered with the meters to use electricity illegally.

“All these actions go against the laws that guide electricity sales in Malawi,” said the Judge. He dismissed the case and ordered the company to pay the court costs.

ESCOM Chief Executive Office, Kamkwamba Kumwenda welcomed the decision, saying it confirms that only ESCOM is allowed to sell electricity in Malawi.

Kumwenda added that this ruling warns people not to be part of illegal electricity deals. “This ruling also protects honest customers who buy electricity the right way,” said Kumwenda.