"I don't know what to say. I thank God,"
Ms Muleabai’s younger sister, Muyunda Muleabai, wept for joy as the ruling was delivered, while supporters applauded inside the courtroom. Outside the court premises, police officers remained on alert to maintain public order as supporters gathered following the judgment.
Sesheke Member of Parliament Romeo Kang’ombe welcomed the acquittal and described the case as politically motivated. He said some individuals had viewed Ms Muleabai as a political threat, which, in his view, had led to her prosecution.
Mr Kang’ombe further urged the mayor to continue serving with humility, love and unity, and to serve the people without discrimination.
Defence lawyer Boniface Chiwala also welcomed the acquittal, stating that the court’s decision had vindicated his client. He said Ms Muleabai had no case from the beginning and thanked the court for what he described as a fair and well-reasoned judgment.
Ms Muleabai, 49, of Nakatindi Extension in Livingstone, expressed gratitude to her supporters and thanked them for the support rendered to her throughout the trial, saying she had nothing to give them in return apart from her heart.
The judgment was delivered by Lusaka-based magistrate Trevor Kasanda, who found that although money had exchanged hands, the prosecution had failed to prove that the funds were obtained from the alleged source as charged.
Ms Muleabai, who had denied the charges, was acquitted on all counts and set at liberty.
Article via Lstone Reports
JUST TO UNLOCK YOUR MIND
JUST TO UNLOCK YOUR MIND
This acquittal closes a chapter in a case that has trailed the Livingstone mayor for months - a journey marked by delays, shifting court dates, mounting public speculation, and a storyline that grew more political than legal in the eyes of many.
The allegations were serious, and the commentary was loud. Yet, as the case dragged on, public expectations quietly adjusted. Many residents had already predicted an outcome favouring the mayor, pointing to the pace of proceedings and the broader political climate.
Sentiment across Livingstone remains mixed. While her supporters are celebrating, a sizeable portion of the public on social media still believes she is shielded by the system. For them, the ruling was not surprising - it was expected. Relief may have filled the courtroom, but outside, scepticism continues to simmer.
The mayor herself thanked God for the judgment. Overwhelmed with emotion, she struggled to speak and instead broke into a New Apostolic Church song - a moment that captured the weight of the ordeal and her personal sense of vindication.
Away from the courtroom, a new conversation is unfolding. There are growing rumours that Ms Muleabai might challenge for the Livingstone Central parliamentary seat, currently held by Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba.
On the ground, some residents accuse the incumbent of not adequately addressing pressing issues - a sentiment that could create political space for a huge challenger.
Whether these rumours settle or solidify into an actual political contest is a story worth watching closely.
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