…Politician suspended for refusing bribes
The Supreme Court in Malawi has temporarily rescued Yeremiah Chihana, who was suspended for allegedly refusing pressure and bribes to approve a US$2 million contract reportedly linked to politically connected interests. It is also alleged that the decision to suspend Chihana was influenced by individuals connected to State House.
However, Chihana’s suspension letter signed by Stanley Chirwa, the BWB Board chaiperson after what it claimed was an “extraordinary meeting” paints a very different picture. The letter, claims he was suspended for promising to provide free chlorine and treated water to cholera-prone communities in an effort to save the lives of Malawians.
According to sources, Chihana refused to award a contract worth more than K3.5 billion to a company allegedly connected to figures within State House circles and previously linked to a separate fertiliser scandal in which the company reportedly received billions from government to buy tobacco under claims that the funds did not come from public coffers but from the company itself.
Sources claim Chihana was confronted in his office and questioned over why he was “not following orders” to award the tender. He allegedly refused, insisting that he was exercising proper checks and balances and acting in the interests of Malawians.
Hours later, he was suspended.
That version of events has turned what could have been a routine labour dispute into a full-blown governance scandal, with critics asking whether Chihana was punished for misconduct or for refusing to bow to powerful people behind the scenes.
Official allegations from the suspension letter
- Making unauthorised public pronouncements that BWB would provide free water through kiosks in cholera-affected areas without board approval.
- Making unauthorised pronouncements that BWB would provide free granular chlorine to cholera-affected residents without board approval.
- Making unauthorised pronouncements that BWB would write off arrears owed by kiosk operators in cholera-affected areas without board approval.
- Permitting an unauthorised non-employee to drive a BWB vehicle contrary to company policy.
- Permitting an unauthorised person access to BWB premises, documents, meetings and vehicles without board approval.
- Causing the arrest and detention of acting directors of Blantyre Water Board without board knowledge or approval.
However, the official suspension letter dated April 27, 2026, tells a different story. The letter, seen by Malawi24, lists six formal allegations against Chihana under clause 9.5(b) of the staff service regulations.
The gap between the official reasons and what sources describe as the real motivation for the suspension is stark. Critics are already pointing out that three of the six official allegations relate to Chihana making public commitments to provide free water and chlorine to cholera-affected communities, actions that would ordinarily be viewed as a public health response rather than a disciplinary scandal.
Blantyre Water Board is yet to comment on the bribery allegations, which have also been shared by whistleblower Alexious Kamangila.
Courtroom battle turns dramatic
In a stunning legal backflip, Chihana has effectively bounced back into office barely a day after the High Court appeared to throw his leadership into collapse.
The drama started when High Court Judge Allan Muhome discharged an earlier injunction that had briefly allowed Chihana to return to work following his suspension. The ruling immediately revived the suspension imposed by the board and forced him out of active control of the water utility.
Judge Muhome ruled that Chihana had approached the wrong court, saying labour-related disputes belong before the Industrial Relations Court.
“The law has carefully designed specialised courts to deal with labour matters and so the High Court should not be inundated with such matters, at first instance,” ruled Muhome.
But before the dust could settle, Chihana rushed to the Supreme Court seeking emergency intervention. The country’s highest court has now temporarily stopped implementation of the High Court ruling while he prepares an appeal.
Power struggle now grips BWB
The Supreme Court intervention temporarily keeps Chihana alive politically and administratively as the legal war intensifies, but it also leaves Blantyre Water Board trapped in a dangerous leadership crisis.
Chihana’s appointment had already raised eyebrows. He is a member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and unsuccessfully represented the party as a parliamentary candidate in the last general elections.
ACB is yet to act on the allegations behind Chihana’s suspension.
