In a recent development, Zambia's former first lady and one of her daughters have been arrested over their ownership of several properties worth more than $2 million. The arrests were made by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), a law enforcement agency tasked with investigating money laundering allegations.
The former first lady, Esther Lungu, who is the wife of ex-President Edgar Lungu, along with her daughter and a family friend, were taken into custody on Thursday. The DEC revealed that properties owned by Esther Lungu, including 15 apartments valued at $1.5 million in a district near the capital, Lusaka, are under investigation. According to the DEC, Esther Lungu failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the acquisition of these properties.
Additionally, the daughter and the family friend were accused of possessing properties worth over $570,000 that are suspected to be proceeds of crime. Another daughter of the former president and first lady is also facing related charges and has been instructed to surrender to authorities by Monday.
Edgar Lungu served as Zambia's president from 2015 to 2021, losing the election to the current President Hakainde Hichilema, a longtime political rival. Lungu is now eyeing a political comeback and intends to contest against Hichilema in the upcoming 2026 presidential election.
