Portland Cement Company has been fined a substantial sum of money after it was found guilty of water theft through illegal connections at its premises in Makata, Ndirande Township.
According to a statement published on Blantyre Water Board’s (BWB) official Facebook page, the Board’s technical team uncovered the unauthorized connections during an inspection conducted on Thursday.
Following the discovery, all three illegal connections were immediately disconnected.
BWB said preliminary investigations revealed that Portland Cement Company had bypassed established procedures and was illegally drawing large quantities of treated water directly from the Board’s distribution network.
“The discovery represents a serious act of water theft and sabotage against public service delivery. Illegal connections not only result in substantial financial losses to the Board but also negatively affect service delivery to legally connected customers,” BWB said in the statement.
The water utility provider emphasized that illegal connections undermine its ability to deliver reliable water services to residents and businesses that comply with the law and pay for their water consumption.
“The Board has since fined Portland Cement Company MK188,829,200.00 for its engagement in this illegal activity,” it stated.
BWB Chief Executive Officer, Yeremiah Chihana, strongly condemned the malpractice, describing it as a deliberate act that threatens the sustainability of water service delivery in Blantyre and surrounding areas.
Chihana warned that the Board will continue conducting routine inspections and taking stern action against individuals, companies, and institutions found engaging in illegal water connections.
“We will not tolerate any form of water theft. Our inspection and enforcement teams will continue to intensify monitoring activities to protect public resources and ensure fair access to water for all customers,” he said.
The Board has since urged members of the public to report suspected cases of illegal water connections, stating that community cooperation is essential in safeguarding the water supply network.
As of the time of publication, Portland Cement Company had not issued any immediate response regarding the allegations or the fine imposed by the Board.
