By Clara Wadi
A 35-year-old man, James Banda, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for vandalizing ESCOM apparatus, impersonating a public officer, and stealing 150 meters of aluminum power conductor wire valued at K1.2 million.
On October 4, 2024, Banda, dressed in an ESCOM-branded work suit, stole the wire at Dickson Trading Centre. He pretended to be an ESCOM official and convinced a teenager that he was sent to collect the wire for installation elsewhere. However, his plan was foiled when Sinyala Police Unit officers arrested him at Malingunde Trading Centre while selling the stolen wires.
In court, Banda pleaded guilty and asked for leniency, citing his family responsibilities. However, Sub Inspector Damiano Nyasulu argued that the convict deserved a harsher sentence due to the severity of the offenses. Principal Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe agreed, handing down a 12-year sentence to serve as a deterrent to potential offenders. The sentences will run concurrently.
This incident highlights the rampant vandalism of ESCOM equipment in the district, which not only wastes taxpayer money but also denies communities access to electricity. This case is not isolated, as three men were previously convicted and sentenced to seven years imprisonment for vandalizing ESCOM equipment worth K22.2 million.
In another incident, Paul Matekenya was sentenced to five years in prison for impersonating an ESCOM employee and tampering with equipment. These cases underscore the need for stricter measures to protect ESCOM infrastructure and prevent such malpractices.
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