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The suspected vandals
Police have arrested two men, Stephano Nkhata Phiri (23) from Dowa and Harold Chiponde (43) from Lilongwe, on suspicion of planning to vandalize an ESCOM transformer at Matchaya Prison in Kasungu.
Detectives from the National Police Headquarters acted swiftly after well-wishers reported suspicious activity at Kanengo Minibus Depot.
The suspects, who were travelling in a lorry, were immediately taken into custody.
A search of their bag revealed a cutter, panga knives, an empty sack, and mud-stained clothes—items commonly associated with transformer vandalism.
ESCOM officials confirmed that the two had previously been arrested for similar crimes in Mponela and had served time at Maula and Ntchisi prisons before their recent release.
Police are now working with other stations that have reported transformer vandalism cases.
Meanwhile, authorities are urging citizens to report any suspicious activity to the police or ESCOM officials to help curb vandalism.