A 26-year-old man is under custody at Lilongwe Police Station for cutting down five Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) poles, also known as spans, and the theft of 1500 metres of conductor wires all valued at K9.75 million.

He has been identified as Nevas Chimphanje of Sinyala Village, Traditional Authority Masumbankhunda in Lilongwe district.

According to Lilongwe Police Public Relations officer Inspector Hastings Chigalu, the incident happened on Friday, March 3, 2023 at Kaweche Village in Traditional Authority Masumbankhunda.

He was caught by Katete Forest Rangers who were patrolling around Dzalanyama Forest reserve.

“They found the suspect cutting down the poles using an axe; five had already been taken down by this time. Police rushed to the scene to collect the suspect after receipt of the report on the same,” said the publicist

Investigations are underway to trace and recover the conductor wires.

The suspect will appear in court soon to answer applicable charges.