Two Jailed 5 Years for Vandalising ESCOM Equipment in Thyolo
Published on April 15, 2026 at 3:23 PM by Evance Kapito
The Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court in Thyolo District has convicted and sentenced two men, Yankho Kamwendo, 22, and Nizza Mbewe, 22, to 60 months imprisonment with hard labour for vandalising electricity installation equipment.
Through State Prosecutor Ishmael Abubast, the court heard that during the night of February 17 to 18, 2026, Charles Meleka was conducting patrols around a site where an Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) transformer is installed at Lipulo Village.
During the patrol, Meleka spotted one of the suspects on the transformer and managed to apprehend him, along with his accomplice who had attempted to flee the scene.
In mitigation, the convicts pleaded for leniency, stating that they are students and wished to continue their education.
However, in her ruling, Chief Resident Magistrate Shyreen Yona Chirwa concurred with the State, emphasizing the seriousness of the offence. She subsequently sentenced both to 60 months imprisonment with hard labour.
Kamwendo and Mbewe both hail from Mpiyama Village under Traditional Authority Mchiramwera in Thyolo District.
