Barely a year after being granted bail in a related case involving allegations of abuse of office and failure to declare interest in Constituency Development Fund resources, Yeremia Chihana is facing fresh trouble after Blantyre Water Board suspended him from his position as Chief Executive Officer over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of power.
But what has led to his latest suspension?
A memorandum issued to all members of staff and the general public by the Acting Director of Human Resources and Administration, Lawrence Kadzitche, says the suspension follows a resolution made by the BWB Board on 28 August 2026.
The Board says Chihana's suspension is being effected under Clause 3(d) of his contract of employment and will remain in force pending an inquiry into the allegations of misconduct.
During the suspension, Chihana has been barred from visiting BWB premises, sites or offices unless he is expressly invited in writing by the Chairperson of the Board or a designated representative.
The memorandum further says he will not be allowed to communicate, either directly or indirectly, with BWB clients, suppliers or members of staff regarding BWB business.Any communication involving the suspended CEO is expected to be channelled through the Chairperson of the Board or a designated representative.
Reports on the suspension indicate that the allegations include Chihana allegedly misrepresenting the Board while seeking funding for an institutional modernization programme.
Chihana is also accused of allegedly appointing an acting Director of Finance without the knowledge and approval of the Board.Another allegation concerns the obtaining of a K500 million overdraft facility from First Capital Bank without the knowledge or approval of the Board of Directors.
The suspension comes just months after Chihana was appointed BWB Chief Executive Officer on 13 April 2026, on a contract expected to run until 12 April 2029.
The latest development also brings back memories of Chihana's previous legal troubles.
As on 17 April 2025, Chihana who was Mzimba North Member of Parliament for the Alliance for Democracy, was granted bail by Principal Resident Magistrate Clemence Chamwenda in Mzuzu.At the time, Anti-Corruption Bureau Principal Legal and Prosecutions Officer Daniel Nyasulu said Chihana was facing two counts of abuse of office and one count of failure to declare interest in relation to Constituency Development Fund, CDF, matters.
Among his bail conditions, Chihana was required to pay a cash bond of K1 million and provide one surety with a non-cash bond of K10 million.
He was also ordered to report to the Anti-Corruption Bureau offices in Lilongwe every fortnight.
During that time,Chihana had not yet taken plea in the matter, as the case was awaiting the appearance of other suspects from M'mbelwa District Council who were also expected to be involved in the proceedings.
The suspension by the Blantyre Water Board now places Chihana under fresh scrutiny, as he faces allegations of misconduct and abuse of power in his capacity as the water utility's Chief Executive Officer.
The Blantyre Water Board is expected to provide further details regarding the suspension and the way forward concerning the allegations against Chihana.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.