The High Court of Malawi Commercial Division has stopped enforcement of an earlier judgement ordering Blantyre Water Board (BWB) to pay K2.5 billion to a supplier who earlier pushed for payment.
Information and communications technology supplier Madalitso Chika wrote the court seeking an order to intercept money belonging to BWB held by several financial institutions and use it to satisfy the judgement.
But through lawyer Dumisani Mlauzi, BWB yesterday sought a stay of the judgement pending conclusion of an appeal in the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal.
Presiding Judge Trouble Kalua granted the board its wish in Lilongwe yesterday, ordering that enforcement of the May 20 2026 judgement be stayed.
“I order that the interim third party debt order dated 21st August 2026 be and is hereby set aside,” he said.
In the matter, BWB is facing a judgement debt of K2.576 billion with collection costs of K386.5 million, making a total of about K2.963 billion.
Chika’s lawyer, Khumbo Soko, was not available for comment.
Malawi Government Economic Report (2026) shows that between 2024 and March 2026, BWB made determined efforts to stabilise its financial performance following one of the deepest financial crises in the sector.
The report said the board significantly reduced its losses and improved asset utilisation; however, its financial position remains fragile due to aging infrastructure, liquidity pressures and escalating operating costs.
BWB is currently embroiled in court battles between its board of directors and chief executive officer Yeremiah Chihana.
