By Josephine Maxime, Dar es Salaam
The Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) has vowed to take stern legal action against anyone found engaging in electricity theft or tampering with power infrastructure, warning that such offences amount to economic sabotage punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
The warning was issued on September 11, 2025, by TANESCO’s Senior Security Officer, Mr. Steven Maganga, during a meter inspection exercise conducted in Magomeni and Mburahati areas of Dar es Salaam.
According to Mr. Maganga, the exercise uncovered cases where some customers had deliberately interfered with meters by installing resistors designed to slow down readings and conceal actual electricity consumption.
“We discovered a customer who had intentionally tampered with a meter by inserting a resistor to alter the accurate recording of electricity usage,” he said.
In a separate case in Tandale, TANESCO found a customer who had unlawfully relocated a registered meter from Manzese to Tandale. The company has since disconnected electricity supply to the household and directed the customer to settle all applicable charges.
One of the implicated customers admitted to moving the meter without following due procedures and appealed to TANESCO to intensify public awareness campaigns on the correct process of relocating meters, while pledging to cover all outstanding costs.
TANESCO emphasized that meter inspection operations will continue nationwide and urged customers to comply with established procedures for new connections or meter relocation.
The company further warned that individuals involved in tampering, theft, or vandalism will face prosecution under economic sabotage laws, including heavy fines and lengthy prison sentences.