Thyolo Police have arrested three men suspected of vandalizing and stealing ESCOM wires, which they allegedly used to make cooking pots.

The suspects have been identified as James Gondwe, 44, of Gumbi Village, Dangerous Sumbuleta, 23, of Gumbi Village, and Alfred Kaliati, 24, of Jayenda Village, all from Traditional Authority Nanseta in district.

Thyolo Police Spokesperson Rabecca Kashoti confirmed the arrests, saying the trio was apprehended following intelligence-led investigations into a case reported on 14th July 2025 by Goodson Dzipendo, a 41-year-old security guard from ESCOM’s Thyolo office. 

Kashoti says ESCOM had reported that unknown criminals had vandalized and stolen ESCOM wires at Naphazi Village in Ntcheu District.

“Through intelligence collections, police managed to trace and arrest the suspects who have been linked to several incidents of ESCOM wire vandalism. Our findings indicate that they were melting and reshaping the stolen wires into household utensils, particularly cooking pots,” said Kashoti.

She added that the suspects are currently in police custody and will appear in court soon to answer charges of vandalism and theft as investigations continue.

Kashoti has since appealed to communities to report anyone found tampering with electricity installations, warning that vandalism of ESCOM property disrupts power supply and endangers public safety.