The High Court of Malawi has discharged its earlier order that reinstated politician Yeremiah Chihana as Blantyre Water Board (BWB) chief executive officer (CEO) after his earlier suspension pending investigations.
In his ruling delivered in his chamber in Blantyre yesterday, Judge Allan Muhome advised Chihana to seek an alternative remedy at the Industrial Relations Court (IRC) designated to handle labour disputes.
The court has since discharged its earlier permission that had set aside Chihana’s suspension pending judicial review.
restored: Chihana. |
Said Muhome: “The law has carefully designed specialised courts to deal with labour matters and so the High Court should not be inundated with such matters, at first instance.
“Similarly, it is the conclusion of this court that the claimant [Chihana] herein has an alternative and effective remedy in the Industrial Relations Court.”
The former Mzimba North legislator accepted the position on April 8 2026 before the BWB board of directors suspended him on April 26 pending investigations. The suspension was based on allegations that he made public pronouncements without the approval of the board of directors.
Chihana is accused of unilaterally deciding that BWB would provide free water and chlorine to areas affected by cholera and write off arrears owed by operators of water kiosks.
He is also further faulted for allegedly permitting an unauthorised person to drive his official vehicle.
However, the High Court reinstated him hours after his suspension and granted him permission to commence judicial review proceedings against the decision.
In an interview yesterday, Chihana’s lawyer, Michael Goba Chipeta, said they would appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal.
Documents filed in court showed that Chihana has a fixed-term contract running up to April 12, 2029 as BWB CEO.
