Zambia’s former First Lady Esther Lungu and her daughter Chiyeso Katete were arrested on Thursday in Lusaka for possessing properties suspected to be proceeds of crime.
They were detained alongside a close relative, Charles Phiri, according to authorities. The state anti-drug agency reported that Ms. Lungu could not provide a reasonable explanation for how she acquired a $30,000 (£24,000) estate in the capital.
Former President Edgar Lungu stated that his family would challenge the charges in court. He has accused the government of targeting him and members of his Patriotic Front (PF) party to hinder his return to politics before the 2026 elections.
Recently, he claimed to have been placed under house arrest due to his increased political activities, a claim the government denied.
Last September, his wife was arrested on corruption allegations related to the theft of motor vehicles and title deeds, which she denied.
On Thursday, 66-year-old Esther Lungu was arrested on charges of fraudulently acquiring luxury real estate in Lusaka, according to the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC).
The DEC revealed that Ms. Lungu owns “15 white double-storey flats” in the State Lodge area of Chongwe town in Lusaka, which are “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime”.
Although the exact acquisition date is unclear, the DEC stated that the property was bought between 2015 and 2023 and is co-owned with other unidentified individuals.
According to the DEC, Esther Lungu’s daughter faces additional charges for acquiring another estate with three flats in Lusaka, suspected to have been fraudulently purchased.
Additionally, she was arrested for possessing a high-cost house, four chicken runs, and related external works on the property.
Mr. Lungu confirmed that they were all released on bond and are safe at home after being questioned by DEC officials for several hours on Thursday.
One more of Ms. Lungu’s daughters, Tasila, is also implicated in the case, according to the DEC. She has been instructed, through her legal representatives, to present herself at the DEC on Monday.
While the accused parties refrained from providing comments on the allegations, the former president issued a brief statement indicating that the family intends to challenge them in court. Currently, it remains uncertain when they will make their court appearance.
Mr. Lungu announced his return to politics last October, prompting the government to revoke his retirement benefits.
He had stepped away from politics following his defeat to Hakainde Hichilema in the 2021 presidential election. After a six-year tenure, Mr. Lungu left Zambia burdened with debt and facing economic challenges.
Zambia’s investigative agencies have targeted several former ministers, government officials, and members of Mr. Lungu’s family as part of President Hichilema’s anti-corruption campaign.
President Hichilema has pledged to reclaim all allegedly embezzled resources from Mr. Lungu’s time in power. Critics argue that the anti-corruption efforts are driven by political motives.
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