Malawi: ESCOM Urges Communities, Chiefs To Combat Electricity Infrastructure Vandalism

Malawi’s Electricity Supply Corporation (ESCOM) has launched a week-long campaign in Kasungu, Lilongwe and Salima districts to urge communities to help protect electricity infrastructure from vandalism.

The campaign follows the vandalism of four transformers in Kasungu district within four weeks, leaving several communities without power, ESCOM said.

The utility loses more than 3 billion kwacha ($1.8 million) annually repairing vandalised equipment, funds that could otherwise be used for grid expansion, ESCOM said.

Speaking during meetings with traditional leaders and police officers, ESCOM Chief Public Relations and Communications Officer Pilirani Phiri called on communities to take greater responsibility for protecting power infrastructure.

“Let’s see the transformer as development, a hub for local business, a functioning health centre, and the future for children who need light to study at night,” Phiri said.

Traditional leaders expressed concern over the vandalism and pledged to strengthen community surveillance. Senior Chiefs Kaomba and Mwase directed subordinate chiefs to increase monitoring and organise night patrols to protect transformers in their areas.

Police officers from Kanengo and Kasungu urged residents not to protect or assist people involved in the theft or vandalism of ESCOM installations.

ESCOM said it was working with traditional leaders, local security structures and civil society organisations to strengthen community efforts to prevent infrastructure theft and protect electricity supplies.