A 26-year-old man has been arrested in Lilongwe for cutting down five Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) poles and stealing 1,500 metres of conductor wire. The stolen items have been valued at K9,750,000.

Nevas Chimphanje was caught in the act by Katete Forest Rangers, who were on patrol in the Dzalanyama Forest Reserve on Friday, March 3, 2023. The suspect was found using an axe to cut down the Escom poles, with five poles already taken down by the time he was caught. Chimphanje hails from Sinyala Village, which is within the same Traditional Authority (T/A) Masumbankhunda as the scene of the crime.

The theft and destruction of Escom poles and conductor wire has become a worrying trend in Malawi, with incidents reported in various parts of the country. Such criminal acts not only deprive communities of access to electricity but also endanger lives by exposing people to the risk of electrocution.

The arrest of Chimphanje is a significant milestone in the fight against such crimes. It sends a clear message that the authorities are taking these incidents seriously and will not hesitate to prosecute those found engaging in them.

The police in Lilongwe, through their public relations officer, Hastings Chigalu, have commended the efforts of the Katete Forest Rangers in apprehending the suspect