The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) has urged traditional leaders across 14 districts in the Southern Region to take a frontline role in protecting electricity infrastructure amid escalating cases of vandalism.

ESCOM Chief Public Relations and Communication Officer, Pilirani Phiri, revealed that the region has recorded 26 vandalism incidents in the last six months in the region, a situation he says is draining the corporation’s already limited resources.

Speaking in Thyolo on Monday during an anti-vandalism campaign that brought together chiefs, police, development committees and community policing forums from the areas of Senior Chief Inkosi Bvumbwe and Traditional Authority Ngomano, Phiri said the trend is worrying.

“We are losing approximately K3 billion just to replace vandalized infrastructure such as transformers and electric wires,” said Phiri.
“This vice is forcing us to pour huge resources into repairs instead of expanding electricity access. We want chiefs and communities to help us end this cycle.”

Phiri stressed that vandalism does not only slow down national development but also puts lives at risk, especially when electric wires are tampered with or left exposed.

Representing Senior Chief Inkosi Bvumbwe, David Ronchiwa committed to mobilizing communities to safeguard ESCOM property and report perpetrators.

“We will sensitize our people to take ownership of ESCOM infrastructure,” Ronchiwa said.

He added, “Vandalism is setting our communities backwards. We must understand that protecting this infrastructure is protecting our own development.”

During the engagement, ESCOM officials also demonstrated safe ways of handling loose electrical equipment and conductors. They warned that such hazards pose a serious threat to life, particularly during the rainy season when electrical accidents are more frequent.

The anti-vandalism campaign is part of ESCOM’s continued nationwide effort to curb infrastructure tampering, which remains one of the major causes of prolonged power outages across Malawi.