By Rahim Abdul
The Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court on December 18, 2025 convicted and sentenced 30-year-old John Labana to five years’ imprisonment with hard labour for vandalizing and stealing Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi (ESCOM) cables in Mawiriga Location, Traditional Authority Mponda.
The court heard through State Prosecutor Inspector Ted Namaona that on December 9, 2025, at around 02:00 hours, residents of Mawiriga village in the Katema area intercepted Labana and his accomplices who were riding a motorcycle while transporting a wooden basket.
Upon being questioned, the accomplices ran away, leaving Labana behind. The convict initially claimed that he was transporting mangoes to Mangochi Boma Market. However, a search of the basket revealed 226 pieces of two-span ORK 240mm aluminium conductor ESCOM cables.
In court, Labana pleaded guilty and asked for leniency, citing family obligations. However, prosecutor Namaona submitted that the vandalized cables supply electricity to Katema, Chilipa, and Phirilongwe Health Centres, and that the offence caused a blackout which put patients’ lives at risk. He therefore prayed for a custodial sentence.
In his ruling, Senior Resident Magistrate Muhammad Chande concurred with the state submission. He sentenced Labana to five years imprisonment with hard labour to deter others.
Labana, comes from M’doka village, Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi.
