Former Member of Parliament for Chikwawa Nkombezi, Abida Sidik Mia, has dismissed as “false and laughable” social media allegations that she dismantled a transformer in the constituency following her loss in the September 16 parliamentary elections.
Mia, who also served as Minister of Water and Sanitation, said it was “common sense” that all electricity infrastructure is the property of ESCOM and managed solely by the utility. “No individual—myself included—has authority to interfere with ESCOM’s operations. It is unfortunate that some are spreading such propaganda to tarnish my image,” she told Radio Islam.
Her remarks came after Chivomerezi FM, a Shire Valley community radio station, investigated the rumours and confirmed them false. Islam Radio Malawi later followed up with ESCOM’s Chief Public Relations and Communications Officer, Pilirani Phiri, who explained that a 1MVA transformer at Ngabu Cotton Ginnery had developed a fault. With no immediate replacement of equal capacity in stock, ESCOM made a technical decision to temporarily swap transformers with Mphango. “The 500KVA transformer installed at Mphango is sufficient for domestic supply, while the 1MVA transformer now serves Ngabu’s commercial needs. This arrangement ensures both areas continue to have power,” Phiri said.
Mia also rejected separate claims that she confiscated ambulances at Chiphwaila and Thelele, clarifying that she only contributed funds to repair a motorcycle ambulance for community use and that the other vehicle was officially allocated by government to Chikwawa District Hospital. “My record of service speaks for itself—schools, clinics, boreholes, police units. These achievements cannot be erased by lies or propaganda. The truth of our work will always stand,” she said.
