The Mangochi First Grade Magistrate’s Court has convicted and sentenced a 32-year-old ex-convict, Ephraim Chipojola, to seven years imprisonment with hard labour for vandalising and stealing Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) cables in Mpondasi Location.
The court heard through Prosecutor Inspector Ted Namaona that Chipojola had recently been released from prison following a pardon, whilst serving a four-year jail term for a similar offence committed in 2024.
The court further heard that on September 13, 2026, at around 2:00 a.m., Chipojola was caught red-handed by a watchman while digging and removing copper wires from an ESCOM transformer at Mpondasi.
Upon searching his bag, four pieces of copper wire believed to have been removed from ESCOM infrastructure were found. He was subsequently handed over to Mangochi Police Station.
Appearing before court, Chipojola pleaded guilty to the offence and asked for leniency, citing family obligations.
However, Inspector Namaona urged the court to impose a custodial sentence, arguing that ESCOM spends significant resources repairing and replacing vandalised infrastructure, thereby diverting funds that could otherwise be used to improve electricity services.
Namaona further told the court that Chipojola’s repeated involvement in similar offences demonstrated a failure to reform and that his conduct could not be tolerated in society.
In his ruling, First Grade Magistrate Roy Kakutu concurred with the State, observing that the vandalism and theft of ESCOM cables can disrupt electricity supply to homes, businesses and other institutions.
Kakutu subsequently sentenced Chipojola to seven years imprisonment with hard labour, saying the sentence would serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders.
Chipojola hails from Kazembe Village, Traditional Authority Mkanda in Mulanje District.
