Man Jailed Six Years for Vandalising ESCOM Equipment Worth K8 Million in Chikwawa
Published on May 7, 2026 at 2:30 PM by Edgar Naitha
A 23-year-old man, Kingsley Malefula, of Samson Village under Traditional Authority Khwethemule in Thyolo District, has been sentenced to six years imprisonment by the Nchalo First Grade Magistrate Court for vandalising and illegally possessing ESCOM equipment valued at K8 million.
According to Chikwawa Police spokesperson, Dickson Matemba, police received a tip-off on August 14, 2025, indicating that Malefula had vandalised electricity cables installed between Tomali and Ndakwera areas in Chikwawa District.
Matemba said officers immediately launched investigations which led to the arrest of Malefula after he was found in possession of the stolen electricity cables.
During court proceedings, the state proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused had vandalised the electricity infrastructure and unlawfully possessed electricity installation equipment without a licence.
First Grade Magistrate John Nsomba subsequently sentenced Malefula to 72 months imprisonment for vandalism and another 72 months for illegally possessing electricity installation equipment without a licence.
The sentences will run concurrently, meaning Malefula will serve six years in prison.
Police have since warned members of the public against vandalising public infrastructure, saying such acts negatively affect service delivery and economic development.
