Zambia’s former First Woman Esther Lungu and her daughter Chiyeso Katete have been arrested over possession of properties suspected to be proceeds of crime.
The 2 have been arrested on Thursday within the capital, Lusaka, alongside one other shut relative recognized as Charles Phiri, authorities mentioned.
Ms Lungu “failed to present an inexpensive clarification” of how she acquired a $30,000 (£24,000) property within the capital, the state anti-drug company mentioned.
Former President Edgar Lungu mentioned the household would problem the fees in courtroom.
The previous chief has been accusing the federal government of victimising him and members of his Patriotic Entrance (PF) social gathering to dam his return to politics forward of 2026 elections.
He not too long ago claimed to have been put below home arrest over his heightened political actions though the federal government denied it.
Final September, his spouse was arrested over corruption allegations, involving instances of theft of motor automobiles and title deeds, which she denied.
On Thursday, Ms Lungu, 66, was arrested on suspicion of fraudulently buying an expensive actual property in Lusaka, the Drug Enforcement Fee (DEC) mentioned in a press release.
It mentioned Ms Lungu owned “15 white double storey flats” located in State Lodge space of Lusaka’s Chongwe city, “fairly suspected to be proceeds of crime”.
The precise date the property, owned collectively with different unknown folks, was acquired was not clear however the DEC mentioned it was purchased between 2015 and 2023.
The DEC mentioned her daughter was confronted with further costs of buying one other three flats property in Lusaka, suspected to have been purchased fraudulently.
“Additional, she was arrested for possession of 1 high-cost home, 4 hen runs, and related exterior works within the property,” the company added.
They have been all launched on bond, mentioned Mr Lungu, including that they have been secure at residence after being questioned by DEC officers for a number of hours on Thursday.
One other of Ms Lungu’s daughters, Tasila, is going through separate however associated costs, in response to the DEC.
She has been ordered, via her attorneys, to look on the DEC on Monday.
The accused individuals didn’t touch upon the allegations however in a short assertion, the previous president mentioned the household would problem them in courtroom.
It was not instantly clear if and when they may seem in courtroom.
Mr Lungu introduced a comeback to politics final October, prompting the federal government to withdraw his retirement advantages.
He had retired from politics after dropping the presidency to Hakainde Hichilema in 2021.
After six years in workplace, Mr Lungu left the southern African nation closely in debt and with a precarious financial system.
A number of former ministers, authorities officers and members of Mr Lungu’s household have been on the radar of Zambia’s investigative businesses in an anti-corruption marketing campaign launched by President Hichilema.
Mr Hichilema has vowed to recuperate all assets allegedly looted whereas Mr Lungu’s was in energy.
Critics say the anti-corruption drive is politically motivated.
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