Residents and business operators in Phalombe say the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) is dragging its feet in fixing power faults, leaving some areas in darkness for weeks.
At Migowi Trading Centre, people have endured nearly a month without electricity after a transformer broke down.
Phalombe Business Association chairperson Stanley Mose said the blackout is crippling businesses, with lodge owners forced to run costly generators.
Barbershop owner Lucius Mwanandi added that the outage has made it impossible for him to earn a living.
Some customers allege ESCOM teams delay attending to faults unless they are bribed. They claim workers demand between K15,000 and K30,000 as “lunch” before responding.
“Those unwilling to pay a little something for lunch receive help after two weeks,” one customer said.
The complaints come despite the opening of the Phalombe Customer Service Centre, which residents had hoped would improve response times.
ESCOM has not yet commented on the allegations.
At Migowi Trading Centre, people have endured nearly a month without electricity after a transformer broke down.
Phalombe Business Association chairperson Stanley Mose said the blackout is crippling businesses, with lodge owners forced to run costly generators.
Barbershop owner Lucius Mwanandi added that the outage has made it impossible for him to earn a living.
Some customers allege ESCOM teams delay attending to faults unless they are bribed. They claim workers demand between K15,000 and K30,000 as “lunch” before responding.
“Those unwilling to pay a little something for lunch receive help after two weeks,” one customer said.
The complaints come despite the opening of the Phalombe Customer Service Centre, which residents had hoped would improve response times.
ESCOM has not yet commented on the allegations.
