Five Arrested for Theft of ESCOM Properties in Dowa
By Alice Sitima…….
Dowa Police apprehended five men on December 14, 2024, in connection with the theft of ESCOM properties in the district.
The incident occurred on October 2, 2024, at Besera Village, near the Dzaleka Refugee Camp.
The suspects, identified as Yamikani Thambo (22), Mayamiko Batani (27), Emmanuel Banda (25), Mustafa Machemba (19), and Chikumbutso Lameck (23), were arrested after a tip-off from a concerned citizen regarding the vandalism of an ESCOM transformer in Besera Village.
Following a string of ESCOM property vandalism incidents nationwide, Dowa Police launched an investigation, which ultimately led to the arrests in Lilongwe’s Area
36.
The suspects confessed to vandalizing and stealing ESCOM transformers at Besera Village and Namwiri Trading Center in Mtengowanthenga-Mponela. They also cooperated with police by leading them to these crime scenes.
Three suspects admitted to selling the stolen copper wire from the transformers to the other two suspects.
The suspects will soon appear in court to face theft-related charges.
The accused hail from various districts:
Emmanuel Banda: Kasichi Village, Traditional Authority Chulu, Kasungu District
Chikumbutso Lameck: Nammare Village, Traditional Authority Nthiramanja, Mulanje District
Mustafa Machemba: Mandozo Village, Traditional Authority Chikumbu, Mulanje District
Mayamiko Batani: Kanjobvu Village, Traditional Authority Sawali, Balaka District
Yamikani Thambo: Chikhwasa Village, Traditional Authority Sawali, Balaka District
