Police in Thyolo have arrested three people on suspicion that they vandalized and stole Escom copper wire on April 13, 2024 around 16:00 hours.

The suspects have been identified as Zindi Mbawa 30, ESCOM temporary worker, Chikumbutso Malemba 24, and Wile Binos 24.

ESCOM Lanse Corpol (name withheld) received a tip off from a well-wisher that three men putting on ESCOM attire were at Chipendo Trading Center on an ESCOM Transformer digging the bottom of the transformer.

Speaking with Sergeant Rabecca  Kashoti said the well –wisher was advised to be on the lookout until they finalize the digging before the trio boarded a Toyota  Sienta along with copper wire heading towards Thyolo Boma.

She added that police is advising the general public to desist from tampering with and stealing ESCOM property because is dangerous to humans which result into electrocution and it is also against the low.

ESCOM team apprehended the trio around Chibwana Village and took the suspects to Thyolo police station for questioning. The recovered copper wire is valued K5, 350,052.

Currently the trio are in police custody pending for court proceedings.

The suspects, Zindi Mbawa comes from Namputu Village, Traditional Authority Chikumbu, Mulanje Distict, Chikumbutso Malemba, hails from Joliji Village, Traditional Authority Nchiramwera and while Binos, from Ndalama Village, Traditional Authority Nchiramwera