CHIHANA FIRED: Blantyre Water Board CEO summarily dismissed for gross misconduct

Blantyre Water Board has summarily dismissed its Chief Executive Officer, Yeremia Chihana, with immediate effect following a Board decision on 5 October 2026

In a formal letter signed by Board Chairman Stanley Chirwa, the Board stated that it had accepted and adopted the findings of a Disciplinary Committee which concluded that Chihana committed acts constituting gross misconduct under regulation 9.3 of the Blantyre Water Board Staff Service Regulations.

The letter notes that Chihana was served with a formal summons to a disciplinary hearing after an inquiry into alleged misconduct. He was informed of the charges and given a reasonable opportunity to appear, present his defence and make representations. He did not attend the hearing. The Committee proceeded in his absence, considered the evidence, and submitted its report and recommendations to the Board.

At its meeting on 5 October, the Board independently reviewed the disciplinary record, the charges previously communicated to Chihana, the evidence, the Committee’s findings and its recommendations. It satisfied itself that Chihana had been informed of the case against him and afforded a reasonable opportunity to answer the charges.

The Board determined that the established misconduct was “substantially grave so as to constitute a fundamental breach of the standards of conduct expected of the Chief Executive Officer and has irreparably undermined the trust and confidence necessary for the continuation of the employment relationship.”Citing regulations 9.7.5 and 9.7.6 of the Staff Service Regulations, section 59 of the Employment Act and clause 3(c) of Chihana’s contract of employment, the Board resolved that he be summarily dismissed with immediate effect.

Chihana has been ordered to immediately surrender all Board property in his possession, including official documents, electronic and physical files, computers, vehicles, keys, access cards, passwords, financial and administrative records, and any other assets. He is further required to cooperate with the acting Director of Human Resources and Administration to ensure an orderly handover of outstanding matters.

The Board said management will process any accrued and terminal entitlements that may lawfully be due, subject to lawful deductions and obligations.Copies of the dismissal letter were sent to the Comptroller of Statutory Corporations and the Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet.

Social media commentator William Ada Chirwa has questioned the process, arguing that the Board’s decision, despite the letter being copied to relevant government offices, raises concerns about possible pending court proceedings.

“If there’s a court case pending and the board also appointed by government ignores the same and fires somebody isn’t the ground for unfair dismissal?” he asked. “How do you hold disciplinary hearing when there’s a pending case at the highest court? Government should wake up from its siesta and intervene either by reconstituting the boards and moving around some CEOs otherwise the austerity measures will end up leaking billions in silly compensations. Lastly how competent are our statutory boards?” he asked. 

The Board’s letter does not address any pending litigation. No official response from government on the matter had been issued by the time of publication.