Esther Lungu, Zambia‘s former first lady, and Chiyeso Katete, her daughter, have been arrested over possession of properties suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Authorities said the two were arrested on Thursday in Lusaka, the Zambian capital, alongside Charles Phiri, another close relative.
Allan Tamba, public relations officer of the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), said the former first lady and other unknown persons jointly acquired an estate of 15 white double-storey flats in Lusaka worth $1.5 million.
Tamba said Katete and Phiri also collaborated with unknown persons to possess several real estate properties in Lusaka worth some $257,371.
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The DEC official added that Katete was arrested for possession of “1 High-Cost house, 4 Chicken Runs, and associated external works”.
Tamba said the acquisition of properties by the former first family was from January 2015, when Edgar Lungu was sworn in as president, to December 2023.
This is not the first time Esther will be enmeshed in a row with authorities over corruption allegations.
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Last September, the former first lady was arrested over cases involving theft of motor vehicles and title deeds, which she denied.
Lungu said the family would challenge the charges in court.
The former president has been accusing the government of victimising him and members of his Patriotic Front (PF).
He alleges that they are trying to stop his return to politics ahead of the 2026 elections.
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Tasila, another of Lungu’s daughters, is facing separate but related charges, the DEC added.
Tamba said Tasila is allegedly on maternity leave, but added that her lawyers have been advised to inform her to report at the DEC on Monday, June 3, to answer to the charges.
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