The Keetmanshoop mayor, Francis Swartbooi, has requested the local Magistrates' Court to disregard as inadmissible the evidence in a drunk-driving case against her.

The mayor pleaded not guilty to the 'drink and drive' charge at the start of her trial, following her arrest and court appearance in January 2023.

This was before her election as mayor post the November 2025 Local Authority elections.

During the continuation of her trial this week, the mayor argued that the calibration certification date for the breathalyser used to test her alcohol level does not corroborate with the date reflected on the test results.

This discrepancy, she contended, indicates the device was defective at the time, rendering its evidence inadmissible.

Under cross-examination by the mayor, Namibian Police traffic officer Inspector Lukas Jonas, who operated the device at the time, testified that the date discrepancy had no impact on the accuracy of the test results.

Moreover, the mayor requested that the inspector's affidavit relating to the case also be disregarded as inadmissible, arguing it reflected the oath of commissioning date at 19 December 2022.

This while the alleged drunk driving incident occurred on 23 January 2023.

Inspector Jonas testified that the affidavit in question relates to an assault case opened against him by the accused, but not to the drunk driving matter.

He further admitted the discrepancy in the commissioning date was an oversight.

The mayor put it to the witness that her arrest was unlawful and unprocedural based on fabricated grounds.

She also expressed frustration over delays in finalising the matter due to repeated postponements.

The mayor conducted her own defence.

State Prosecutor Soini Shatilue prosecuted.

The mayor's case was postponed until 4 March for continuation of trial.