Leading telecommunications company Airtel Malawi Plc has reported remarkable progress in its efforts to safeguard network infrastructure in a bid to provide seamless telecommunication connectivity in the country.
Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, Airtel Malawi Director of Networks Mphatso Manda reaffirmed the company’s appreciation for the unwavering support from the Malawi Police Service, local communities, and stakeholders who continue to play a crucial role in protecting the country’s digital backbone.
This follows an earlier press briefing in June this year where the telecommunications company called on communities to help combat the rising cases of network fiber vandalism.
“Connectivity is the lifeline for education, business, and communication across the nation therefore it must be protected at all costs. This far, two people have been caught and brought to book for fibre damage related cases and we have seen community members playing a huge role whenever such cases arise, we can’t take that for granted,” said Manda.
Through strengthened collaboration with law enforcement and community partners, joint efforts have already yielded tangible results, with two suspects apprehended in connection with recent fiber vandalism incidents.
One of the culprits was caught in Area 3, Lilongwe, vandalizing critical network cables and has since been sentenced to 30 months in prison with hard labour. The second suspect, who attempted to steal fiber cables at a road construction site in Kanengo, is currently facing prosecution.
“These arrests are a direct result of the vigilance and cooperation between our communities, the police, and our partners. We are grateful for the swift action taken by law enforcement and the proactive spirit shown by Malawians who understand the value of protecting our national connectivity,” Manda added.
Speaking on behalf of the Malawi Police Service, Sub Inspector Gresham Ngwira of Kanengo Police Station emphasized that continued collaboration between communities, corporate partners, and law enforcement remains vital in safeguarding national infrastructure.
“We are committed to working together with the public and corporate stakeholders to ensure that those who tamper with critical infrastructure are brought to justice. The sentencing and ongoing prosecution sends a strong message that vandalism will not be tolerated,” he said.
To further enhance public engagement, Airtel Malawi has introduced a toll-free hotline 460 for anonymous reporting of suspicious activity and is planning additional community outreach initiatives aimed at raising awareness on the importance of safeguarding network infrastructure.
