Police in Karonga have arrested a 35-year-old man for vandalizing Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) properties.

Karonga Police station deputy public relations officer Constable George Mulewa identified the suspect as Pulos Mponda who was arrested on 1st May, 2018 and he comes from Mwaungulu village in the area of traditional authority Wasambo in Karonga.

According to Mulewa, Escom personnel and police officers organized a joint investigation after they leant that some criminals have been vandalizing their Electricity Tower Member Angle Irons located between Mzuzu and Karonga electricity power transmission lines.

“The operation produced positive results after Paulos Mponda was found by the operational team with twenty four (24)-tower member angle irons which are valued at K682, 500.00, said Mulewa.

A further investigation revealed that Mponda was using the items to make oxcarts.

Meanwhile, Mponda has started appearing in court for an offence of Vandalizing Electricity Installation Equipment contrary to section 45(d) of Electricity Act No 22 of 2004 which attracts the maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment with hard labour and a fine of five million Kwacha.