By Ebi Kesiena
Authorities in Zambia have arrested former President Edgar Lungu’s son and his wife on charges of money laundering and possessing property believed to be proceeds of crime worth more than $5 million.
According to a report published in VOA, Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga noted that Dalitso Lungu and his wife, Matildah, have been arrested in their capacity as directors of Saloid Traders Limited.
The Police spokesperson explained that they are accused of owning 69 motor vehicles and other properties believed to have been the proceeds of crime, but Lungu and his wife have been released from police custody and will appear in court soon, he added.
The arrests came a week after Zambian authorities announced the seizure of some 20 properties linked to Dalitso, former President Lungu’s wife, Esther, and his daughter, Tasila.
Brian Mundubile, one of the lawyers for Dalitso and his wife, confirmed the arrests and charges.
Mundubile also confirmed Tuesday on WhatsApp to VOA that his clients have since been released on bail pending a court appearance soon. He added that the Lungu’s should be accorded the dignity of their status as the former first family.
Mundubile described his clients’ arrests as unnecessary actions meant to harass them. He said the government must be clear about their intentions regarding the family instead of embarrassing them. Mundubile notes that the arrests have caused pain and anger to the Lungu family and does not think this is the way for the state to go.
The Zambian president of anti-corruption group Transparency International, Sampa Kalunga, says his organization has been following with keen interest cases that have to do with corruption especially cases involving the Lungu family and former officials in Lungu‘s government.
He added that law enforcement needs to follow through on the cases to the end.
However, siting President Hakainde Hichilema has said multiple times that the fight against corruption is not aimed at political opponents but is meant to protect the country’s public funds.
