A 26-year-old man with speech impairment issues, identified as Nevas Chimphanje, has been sentenced to three years and four months imprisonment by the Senior Resident Magistrate court in Lilongwe.

Chimphanje was convicted of vandalizing equipment belonging to Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) at Dzalanyama forest last month.

When he appeared before the court, Chimphanje pleaded guilty to the charge. In his plea for mitigation, Chimphanje through his interpreter, asked for forgiveness and leniency when passing his sentence.

However, Senior Resident Magistrate Wanangwa Nyirenda rejected the plea for leniency, stating that Chimphanje’s actions were retrogressive and needed a custodial punishment.

The magistrate emphasized the importance of protecting public infrastructure and warned against any form of vandalism.