Blantyre Water Board (BWB) has finally dismissed its Chief Executive Officer, Yeremia Chihana.
In a letter dated October 5, 2026, BWB Board chairperson Stanley Chirwa said the decision followed a disciplinary hearing which Chihana did not attend.
The Board said Chihana had been formally summoned and given an opportunity to appear before a disciplinary committee to answer the charges, present his defence and provide evidence.
According to the letter, the committee proceeded with the hearing in his absence after satisfying itself that he had been properly notified.
The committee then considered the evidence, made findings on the charges and submitted its report and recommendations to the Board.
The Board said it considered the disciplinary report, evidence, charges and findings at its meeting on October 5 before adopting the committee’s findings.
It said the misconduct established against Chihana was serious, particularly given his position as chief executive officer and the level of trust and accountability attached to the office.
“The Board determined that the misconduct established against you is substantially grave so as to constitute a fundamental breach of the standards of conduct expected of the Chief Executive Officer,” the letter reads.
The Board further said the misconduct had “irreparably undermined the trust and confidence” required for Chihana to continue working for BWB.
It therefore concluded that Chihana had committed acts amounting to gross misconduct under regulation 9.3 of the BWB Staff Service Regulations.
His dismissal was made under regulations 9.7.5(b) and 9.7.6 of the Staff Service Regulations, section 59 of the Employment Act and clause 3(c) of his employment contract.
Chihana has been ordered to immediately hand over all BWB property in his possession, including official documents, electronic and physical files, computers, vehicles, keys, access cards, passwords and other Board assets.
He has also been instructed not to copy, remove, destroy, alter or interfere with BWB records or electronic data.
The Board said management would process any accrued and terminal benefits lawfully due to him, subject to applicable deductions and obligations.
Copies of the dismissal letter have been sent to the Comptroller of Statutory Corporations, Chief Secretary to the Government, Secretary for Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development and BWB’s acting Director of Human Resources and Administration.
In a letter dated October 5, 2026, BWB Board chairperson Stanley Chirwa said the decision followed a disciplinary hearing which Chihana did not attend.
The Board said Chihana had been formally summoned and given an opportunity to appear before a disciplinary committee to answer the charges, present his defence and provide evidence.
According to the letter, the committee proceeded with the hearing in his absence after satisfying itself that he had been properly notified.
The committee then considered the evidence, made findings on the charges and submitted its report and recommendations to the Board.
The Board said it considered the disciplinary report, evidence, charges and findings at its meeting on October 5 before adopting the committee’s findings.
It said the misconduct established against Chihana was serious, particularly given his position as chief executive officer and the level of trust and accountability attached to the office.
“The Board determined that the misconduct established against you is substantially grave so as to constitute a fundamental breach of the standards of conduct expected of the Chief Executive Officer,” the letter reads.
The Board further said the misconduct had “irreparably undermined the trust and confidence” required for Chihana to continue working for BWB.
It therefore concluded that Chihana had committed acts amounting to gross misconduct under regulation 9.3 of the BWB Staff Service Regulations.
His dismissal was made under regulations 9.7.5(b) and 9.7.6 of the Staff Service Regulations, section 59 of the Employment Act and clause 3(c) of his employment contract.
Chihana has been ordered to immediately hand over all BWB property in his possession, including official documents, electronic and physical files, computers, vehicles, keys, access cards, passwords and other Board assets.
He has also been instructed not to copy, remove, destroy, alter or interfere with BWB records or electronic data.
The Board said management would process any accrued and terminal benefits lawfully due to him, subject to applicable deductions and obligations.
Copies of the dismissal letter have been sent to the Comptroller of Statutory Corporations, Chief Secretary to the Government, Secretary for Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development and BWB’s acting Director of Human Resources and Administration.
