The Board of Directors of the Blantyre Water Board (BWB) has suspended its newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Yeremia Chihana, pending a disciplinary hearing.
The suspension follows a series of allegations, including claims that he authorized the arrest and detention of acting directors without the board’s knowledge.
Board chairperson Stanley Chirwa confirmed the development in a letter saying that the decision to suspend Chihana was reached during an extraordinary meeting of the board’s human resources and administrative committee.
Part of the letter states that the board resolved to suspend Chihana with immediate effect, in line with clause of the staff services regulations, pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing.
Chihana is facing multiple allegations, among them making unilateral public pronouncements that BWB would provide free water through kiosks in cholera-affected areas.
He is also accused of declaring that the board would write off arrears owed by kiosk operators in the same areas without proper authorization.
Further claims include permitting unauthorized individuals access to BWB premises, documents, meetings, and vehicles without approval from management or the board of directors.More details are expected to emerge following the disciplinary proceedings.
