Zambia: High Court Jails Man For 10 Years For Vandalising Power Infrastructure

A High Court in Kabwe, Zambia, presided over by Judge M. Chanda-Mate, has sentenced Webster Chongo to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour for vandalising critical power infrastructure belonging to ZESCO Limited, Zambia’s power utility company.

The convict was sentenced on 7 May 2026 after being found guilty of vandalism, contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

The court sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour on two counts, with both sentences running concurrently from the date of his arrest on 14 March 2025, meaning he will serve an effective 10-year jail term.

In a press statement, ZESCO Limited welcomed the court’s decision, describing the judgment as a major boost in the fight against attacks on critical electricity infrastructure.

ZESCO said the conviction serves as a strong reminder that vandalism of electricity infrastructure is a serious crime with far-reaching consequences for households, businesses, health facilities, schools, and national productivity.

ZESCO’s Senior Manager for Special Duties and Investigations, Ben Mwanamakwa, said the sentence sends a clear message that those who damage or steal electricity infrastructure will face the full force of the law.

“This conviction is significant because it demonstrates that vandalism is not a victimless crime. Every act of vandalism disrupts power supply, endangers lives, affects businesses, and diverts resources that should be used to improve service delivery. We welcome this judgment as deterrent to would-be offenders and as an important step in protecting national electricity infrastructure,” said Mr Mwanamakwa.

Mr Mwanamakwa further commended law enforcement agencies, the prosecution team, and members of the public who continue to support efforts to safeguard ZESCO installations across the country.

ZESCO Limited has appealed to communities to report suspicious activities around transformers, power lines, substations, and other electricity installations. Community vigilance remains critical in preventing vandalism, reducing outages, and protecting assets that support Zambia’s economic and social development.