A 31-year-old scrap metal dealer from Phalombe has been sentenced by the Thyolo First Grade Magistrate’s Court after being found in possession of stolen equipment belonging to the ESCOM and the Southern Region Waterboard.

The convict, Patrick Julius, was arrested after police acting on a tip-off raided his home in Ndalama Village, Thyolo, where they discovered 53 metres of fibre wire valued at K400 million and three damaged water meters.

State Prosecutor Inspector Ishmael Abubast told the court that the fibre wire was later confirmed by ESCOM officials as company property.

Appearing in court, Julius pleaded guilty to the charges of possessing property from a licensee and possessing property reasonably suspected to have been stolen.

In his plea for leniency, Julius said: “These items were brought to my premises without my knowledge. I had no intention to buy or resell them. I am also a first offender, and I ask the court to consider this.”

However, First Grade Magistrate Kondani Chinangwa underscored the seriousness of the offences.

“Theft and vandalism of utility property have far-reaching effects on service delivery to the public. While I have considered that you are a first offender and pleaded guilty, these offences cannot be taken lightly,” he said.

The court sentenced Julius to pay K500,000 for the first count or in default serve 12 months imprisonment, and K400,000 for the second count or another 12 months custodial sentence if unpaid.

Julius, who hails from Nachipo Village under Traditional Authority Mkhumba in Phalombe, is yet to pay the fines.

Records show that the Thyolo ESCOM has lost over 5,400 mitres of aluminum conductors to vandalism from January this year.