LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)—Civil society organisations (CSOs) have described the recent deaths of two Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) employees while on duty as tragic and deeply regrettable, calling for independent, transparent investigations to establish the cause of the incident and prevent similar occurrences in future.

The two workers died while carrying out routine maintenance and electrification works in Nsalu, Lilongwe.

Speaking in an interview with MaraviPost on Sunday, Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) Executive Director Robert Mkwezalamba said the loss of life must be treated with utmost seriousness, noting that the right to life is constitutionally protected.

“Any death or loss of life is highly regrettable because the law clearly provides that every person has the right to life, and the State is mandated to safeguard the sanctity of life,” Mkwezalamba said.

“Such incidents must be thoroughly examined to ensure they never occur under avoidable circumstances.”
On whether the incident constituted a violation of workers’ rights to life and safety,

Mkwezalamba cautioned against drawing conclusions before investigations are completed.

He said ESCOM, like other major institutions such as Egenco, NOCMA, Salima Sugar and Illovo, places strong emphasis on occupational safety.

“You cannot access these facilities without a safety induction. Employees are subjected to daily alcohol testing, and anyone who tests positive is barred from entering the premises or being assigned duties,” he said.

Mkwezalamba added that preliminary observations indicate the deceased workers were properly equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) and were secured according to safety standards.

“At this stage, it would be premature to classify these deaths as violations of workers’ rights. Investigations will help determine whether there was human error, premature power restoration, or technical failure,” he said.

He called for parallel investigations by ESCOM and the Malawi Police Service, stressing the need for transparency.

“ESCOM must conduct internal investigations, while the police carry out an independent inquiry. The workers’ union, which already participates in disciplinary processes, should also be involved,” Mkwezalamba said.

He further urged the inclusion of civil society organisations and independent observers to enhance credibility and public confidence.

“For over two decades, such inclusive investigations have been rare. Allowing external participation will help ESCOM clear its name and build public trust,” he said.

Mkwezalamba also said the outcome of the investigations should guide accountability and compensation.

“Based on ESCOM’s standard operating procedures and the Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare Act, compensation should be automatic,” he said, while urging the utility company to go beyond minimum legal requirements.

“Malawi does not have a workers’ compensation fund, and compensation for work-related deaths often falls short of sustaining families. ESCOM should consider the harsh economic realities many families face,” he added.

He said investigation findings should also inform long-term preventive measures, including the adoption of modern technologies.

“We are now in the era of artificial intelligence, which can help institutions like ESCOM detect faults remotely and reduce reliance on risky manual interventions,” he said.

Mkwezalamba emphasized the responsibility of both employers and employees in ensuring workplace safety.

“Every employee has a duty to safeguard their own life, their colleagues and the customers they serve. All employers in Malawi must prioritise safety to prevent avoidable loss of life,” he said.

He concluded by reiterating HRCC’s willingness to participate in the investigative process to ensure lessons are learned and meaningful reforms implemented.

In a statement, ESCOM confirmed that two staff members died while on duty in Nsalu, Lilongwe, as they were repairing and electrifying a fault during routine maintenance operations.

The utility company expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and reaffirmed its commitment to workplace safety, adding that investigations were underway to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Meanwhile, Citizens for Justice Network Executive Director Agape Khombe said the deaths had shocked the nation and called for unity, dignity and a comprehensive investigation.

“The two workers were innocent, hardworking citizens. Their death is not only a loss to their families, but to the nation as a whole,” Khombe said.

He urged authorities to establish whether negligence, poor communication, lack of PPE, or the involvement of unskilled labour contributed to the fatal electrocution of the two experienced linesmen.

Khombe called for the formation of an all-inclusive investigation team comprising police, civil society organisations, District Health Office officials, representatives of the bereaved families, traditional leaders and clergy.

Observers have also questioned how the incident occurred, noting that standard procedure requires electricity supply to be switched off before maintenance work begins.

Stakeholders have stressed that civil society and labour experts must be included in the probe to ensure accountability, transparency and improved safety standards in the energy sector.

As investigations continue, many hope the findings will lead to reforms that strengthen worker protection and prevent similar tragedies in future.