* He is disputing the substantive justification, procedural fairness and proportionality of his dismissal
* Instructed his lawyers to pursue compensation and his lawful employment entitlements in the Industrial Relations Court, rather than reinstatement or re-engagement
By Duncan Mlanjira
Yeremia Chihana, who was dismissed on October 5, 2025 as Blantyre Water Board (BWB) chief executive officer over alleged gross misconduct, is demanding a whopping K193 billion compensation.
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His lawyers, in a document sent to BWB issued on Thursday, October 8, Gobz & Rechtswissenschaft Legal Practitioners, indicated that Chihana “disputes the substantive justification, procedural fairness and proportionality of his dismissal”.
“He instructs us to pursue compensation and his lawful employment entitlements in the Industrial Relations Court, rather than reinstatement or re-engagement.”
The decision by Chihana to demand compensation follows BWB’s letter to Chihana requesting him to hand over the official institution vehicle, a Ford Ranger; a laptop, a Samsung S26 Ultra smartphone and other outstanding official matters by October 9 — including to vacate institutional house by November 7, 2026.
The lawyers indicate that “the physical handover of BWB’s property receipt of accrued entitlements, and compliance with lawful transitional arrangements must not be represented as acceptance that the dismissal was fair, a resignation, mutual separation, or a full and final settlement”.
Chihana, who was suspended in August over allegations-of-misconduct that followed prolonged legal dispute between the utility’s management and its Board of Directors, was summarily dismissed last week.
A letter dated October 5, 2026 indicated that Chihana was given an opportunity to appear before a disciplinary committee but did not attend.
Thus the public utility service provider’s Board of Directors subsequently accepted and adopted the disciplinary committee’s findings on the charges levelled against Chihana.
Among the six charges against him is an allegation that he announced that BWB would provide free water to cholera hotspots without the knowledge of the board and management.
He was also accused of allowing an unauthorised person to drive and control a company vehicle and of causing the arrest and detention of company directors without the board’s knowledge.
Yeremia Chihana
However, his lawyers argue that the allegations do not automatically justify summary dismissal and that the board must prove it followed the law.
It is also argued that the Board must establish a valid reason for the dismissal and demonstrate that it gave Chihana the required opportunity to defend himself.
Citing sections 57, 58 and 61 of the Employment Act, the lawyers maintain that employers must meet legal standards of fairness and justice when dismissing employees.
They also challenge the board’s reliance on provisions governing gross misconduct and summary dismissal.
The lawyers further argue that an objection to the court’s jurisdiction over the earlier judicial review proceedings does not, by itself, prove the misconduct alleged against their client.
Chihana sought legal relief after his suspension in August but the High Court ruled that the dispute was largely an employment matter and directed the concerned parties to take appropriate labour dispute mechanisms.
The Board suspended him was over fresh allegations linked to the management of the institution, including issues surrounding its modernisation programme, the appointment of an acting finance director and an alleged K500 million overdraft.
Chihana disputed the allegations and continued to challenge the board’s decisions.
The BWB Board has since replaced Chihana by appointing Henri Mathelo Bakuma as its new CEO, who previously served at the utility service provider as director of finance for six years and acting CEO for four years.
The Board indicated that he brings experience in financial management, corporate governance and strategic leadership.
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