Vandalism backtracking power strides

Energy authorities are making a fresh appeal for the citizenry to play leading role in containing vandalism of electricity equipment.

The appeal by Minister responsible Ibrahim Matola comes against the background of continued reports of this malpractice in many parts of the country

Some of the targeted equipment by these vandals include ESCOM transformers.

It is reported that such equipment is vandalized for its oil which is drained and suspected to be used in heavy trucks

Some unconfirmed reports also allege that the oil is mixed with other types of cooking oil,  which is used in frying chips in other local markets.

ESCOM continues to incur huge bills to replace the vandalized structures and equipment.

According to ESCOM officials, between 2019 and 2020 they lost an approximate 1 billion due to vandalism and restoration of vandalized transformers.

As at mid-2022, the power supplier indicated that to replace a single transformer they had to cough at least 4 million kwacha, with a vandalism rate of 4 transformers per week.

Speaking in Blantyre during an interface with the media and members of the public, Matola said he is appalled by  this malpractice in many parts of the country.

According to Matola the restoration of about 130 megawatts at Kapichira by EGENCO would bring no significant difference in power supply if such vandalism continues with no action taken against it.

” Religious leaders in all denominations including the Catholics, Muslims and all other faith organizations, please take this message so that your membership should realize the importance of guarding these equipment” Matola appealed”.

“People should understand that once ESCOM has installed a transformer in their area, it means that it’s their responsibility to look after it as it becomes their property”. Matola added.

Apart from transformers, vandals have been targeting others structures such as electric poles, wires, and power lines.

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