Key Business Points
- Energy infrastructure vandalism is costing regional utilities billions annually, threatening electricity supply stability and investor confidence
- Sapp is developing a regional security framework to combat cross-border vandalism of transmission systems
- Individual country penalties have proven insufficient, highlighting need for coordinated regional action
The energy sector is grappling with surging infrastructure vandalism that threatens both national power supplies and regional integration efforts. According to Stephen Dihwa, executive director of the Southern African Power Pool (Sapp), all 12 Southern African Development Community countries are losing billions due to deliberate damage of energy infrastructure.
In Malawi, Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) loses approximately K3 billion annually to vandalism. South Africa’s Eskom reported losses of about R221 million (K22 billion) between April 2024 and February 2025. Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority has incurred US$24 million (K42 billion) in damages since 2019, while Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation lost K2.3 billion in the first quarter of 2025 alone.
These losses have continued despite individual countries imposing harsh penalties. In Malawi, the Electricity Act of 2024 mandates up to 30 years imprisonment for vandalizing electrical infrastructure. Previous offences could draw five years imprisonment, while the latest Act prescribes a minimum custodial sentence of not less than 10 years for vandalising any electrical equipment, apparatus or installations. The deterrent approach has already shown results in some cases. In September 2024, Kashoni Kasitomu received a 15-year sentence for vandalizing Escom infrastructure.
Kandi Padambo, former Escom CEO, notes the challenge in combating this vice, explaining that some perpetrators have insider knowledge of electrical systems and operations.
The Southern African Power Pool is now developing a regional security framework to address what individual nations have struggled to contain. The initiative comes as countries plan major power interconnection projects, including the Malawi-Mozambique power interconnector expected to roll out in the second quarter of this year.
Escom board director Welford Sabola emphasizes collaboration with neighboring countries as critical to protecting high-voltage infrastructure. "Protecting transmission infrastructure remains critical to ensuring reliable electricity supply and the stability of the regional power network," he said.
The coordinated regional approach is seen as essential for safeguarding investments in transmission infrastructure as nations work toward integrated power markets. For Malawi’s business community, the success of these security frameworks could mean more reliable electricity supply, reduced operational costs, and improved conditions for attracting investments in energy-dependent industries.
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