By Dennis Chilapondwa
The High Court in Blantyre has removed the injunction that temporarily blocked the Blantyre Water Board (BWB) Board of Directors from suspending its Chief Executive Officer, Yeremiah Chihana, ruling that the dispute must instead be handled by the Industrial Relations Court.
In his ruling on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, High Court Judge Allan Hans Muhome stated that the case is primarily an employment matter arising from Chihana’s contract and is therefore not suitable for judicial review in the High Court. The court had previously granted Chihana permission to start judicial review proceedings and issued a stay order to stop his suspension. However, after hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Muhome determined that the core issue involves employer-employee relations.
Following the removal of the injunction, Chihana’s suspension takes immediate effect. He will remain suspended until BWB concludes its internal disciplinary hearing.
Background of Yeremiah Chihana’s Issues at BWB
Chihana, a former legislator, was appointed BWB CEO on 13 April 2026. Barely two weeks into his tenure, on 27 April 2026, the BWB Board suspended him pending a disciplinary hearing over several allegations of misconduct and abuse of office.
The Board accused Chihana of making unauthorized public announcements about providing free water and granular chlorine to cholera‑affected areas, as well as unilaterally writing off arrears owed by water kiosk operators. He was further accused of allowing an unauthorized person to drive an official vehicle and access BWB offices, files, and meetings, and of orchestrating the arrest of acting directors without the Board’s knowledge or approval.
On the same day as his suspension, Chihana obtained an ex parte injunction from the High Court, which temporarily stayed his removal. The court’s latest decision to lift that injunction now allows the suspension to proceed while the substantive labor dispute moves to the Industrial Relations Court.
