The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) has welcomed the recent restrictions on the exportation of scrap metals, citing that unscrupulous dealers have been exploiting regulatory loopholes, leading to extensive vandalism of its assets.

ESCOM’s publicist, Peter Kanjere, highlighted that through its distribution license alone, the corporation has lost over K2 billion in the past five years due to vandalism. This figure does not include losses from labor and revenue.

Social commentator Isaac Cheke Ziba expressed concern that the decision to impose the ban came too late, as multiple sectors have already suffered significant losses, compromising service delivery. He called on authorities at border points to enforce the ban strictly and prevent scrap metals from passing through.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry recently imposed a ban on the exportation of over 20 products, including scrap metals, which have reportedly been a lucrative business in neighboring countries like South Africa and Tanzania.