By Rahim Abdul
The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) has strongly condemned the continued vandalism of electricity infrastructure across the country, describing the acts as a major setback to national development and efforts aimed at expanding access to reliable electricity in communities.
According to ESCOM, the latest incident happened at Chimtolo Village under Traditional Authority Khongoni in Lilongwe District where unknown criminals vandalized electricity poles and conductors belonging to an ongoing power line project.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the incident occurred during the night of May 3, 2026, a development the power utility company says is frustrating efforts to connect rural communities to electricity and improve people’s livelihoods.
In a statement, ESCOM expressed concern that the continued destruction of infrastructure is not only disrupting electricity supply projects but is also increasing operational costs and placing people’s lives in danger.
The corporation says cases of vandalism continue to affect socio-economic development as communities fail to benefit from electricity connections that are meant to support businesses, education and other economic activities.
ESCOM has since appealed to members of the public, traditional leaders and communities to remain vigilant and take an active role in protecting electricity infrastructure in their respective areas.
The corporation says communities must understand that they are the primary beneficiaries of such projects and therefore have a collective responsibility to safeguard the infrastructure from criminals.
ESCOM has further assured the public that it will continue working closely with the Malawi Police Service, the media and local leaders to ensure that perpetrators behind the vandalism are traced and brought before the courts.
The power utility company has also urged people to report suspicious activities around electricity installations to the nearest police station or ESCOM office.
Members of the public can also report anonymously through the 847 tip-off line available on TNM and Airtel networks.
ESCOM says rewards are available for individuals whose reports lead to successful investigations and verification of vandalism-related crimes.
The continued destruction of public infrastructure remains one of the major challenges affecting service delivery in the country, with authorities warning that such criminal acts slow down development and deny communities access to essential services.
