“Investigations are still underway.”
Balaka Magistrates Court has sentenced Dickson Chipoya to two years in jail for attempted theft of an Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) Limited transformer stationed at Khwisa Trading Centre in the district on February 3 2021.
Balaka Police spokesperson, Felix Misomali, said the court handed a 24 months sentence on Chipoya for malicious damage and 12 months for attempted theft last week.
The sentences will run concurrently.
Felix Misomali – pleased with outcome
Chipoya hails originally from Chinamwali in Zomba.
He said the court acquitted another suspect, who was answering similar charges, whereas the case for another one, Madalitso Gama, a faults operator for ESCOM, is pending at the same court.
February 8, 2021 Nyasa Times Reporter 20 Comments
Residents of Khwisa Trading Centre in Balaka foiled an attempted theft of an Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) Limited transformer in the district last week.
Residents surround the vehicle that was allegedly hired by the suspects
There has been a spate of transformer vandalism and theft in the country leading to long periods of blackouts in the affected areas
Malawi Police Service in Balaka have since arrested two suspects and seized a motor vehicle they were reportedly driving in
Escom public relations manager Innocent Chitosi confirmed the incident, saying the suspects and the vehicle are being kept at Balaka Police Station.