Livingstone Mayor, Constance Muleabai, has been found with a case to answer in a corruption case currently before the Livingstone Magistrates’ Court.
This follows allegations that the Mayor solicited and later received large sums of money in exchange for the cancellation of property rates owed to the local authority.
According to court records, Mayor Muleabai is facing two counts of corrupt practices. In the first count, she is accused of soliciting K120, 000 from Monde Sumbwa, who is a state witness in the matter.
In the second count, she is alleged to have received K180, 000. The transactions are said to be linked to the cancellation of property rates valued at more than K300, 000 owed to the Livingstone City Council.
When called to respond, Mayor Muleabai denied both charges and dismissed the claims that she ever asked for or received any money from Sumbwa and maintained her innocence, insisting that the accusations were baseless.
After considering the testimonies presented so far, the court ruled that a prima facie case had been established, thereby, placing the Mayor on her defence.
This means she will now be required to present her side of the story, either by testifying on her own behalf, calling witnesses, or both.
The case has attracted public attention in Livingstone, given Muleabai’s position as Mayor and the implications of the allegations on the credibility of the City Council.
Analysts note that the proceedings could have a bearing on public confidence in the local authority, particularly in the handling of council finances and governance.
The matter is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with the defence opening its case before the Magistrates’ Court.
