Donald Lukele
Former Zambian First Lady Esther Lungu and her daughter Chiyeso Katete have been arrested for allegedly possessing properties suspected to be linked to crime.
The two were arrested on Thursday in the capital, Lusaka, along with another close relative identified as Charles Phiri, authorities said.
Ms. Lungu “failed to provide satisfactory explanations” for how she acquired a $30,000 (£24,000) property in the capital, a drug enforcement agency said.
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Former President Edgar Lungu said the family would contest the charges in court. The ex-leader has been accusing the government of persecuting him and members of his Patriotic Front (PF) party to prevent his return to politics before the 2026 elections.
He recently claimed to have been placed under house arrest due to his excessive political activities, although the government denied this.
Last September, his wife was arrested on corruption charges related to cases of car theft and forgery, allegations she denied.
On Thursday, Mrs. Lungu, 66, was arrested on suspicion of acquiring luxurious immovable property in Lusaka, the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) said in a statement.
It said Mrs. Lungu owned “15 two-story houses” located in the State Lodge area in Chongwe, Lusaka, “suspected to be proceeds of crime”.
The exact date of the property, jointly owned with other unidentified persons, was not disclosed, but DEC said it was purchased between 2015 and 2023.
DEC said her daughter faced additional charges of acquiring land in Lusaka, suspected to have been obtained through fraud.
All were released on bail, Mr. Lungu said, adding that they were safe at home after being questioned by DEC officials for several hours on Thursday.
Another daughter of Mrs. Lungu, Tasila, faces separate but related charges, according to DEC.
She has been instructed, through her lawyers, to report to DEC on Monday.
The accused did not comment on the allegations but in a brief statement, the former president said the family would challenge the charges in court.
It is not immediately clear when they will appear in court.
Mr. Lungu announced his return to politics in October last year, prompting the government to revoke his retirement benefits.
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