By Ebi Kesiena
Zambia’s former First Lady Esther Lungu and her daughter Chiyeso Katete have been arrested for possessing properties thought to be the proceeds of crime.
They were arrested in the capital, Lusaka along with another close relative named Charles Phiri, BBC reports.
Ms Lungu “failed to give a reasonable explanation” of how she acquired a $30,000 (£24,000) estate in the capital, the state anti-drug agency said.
Former President Edgar Lungu said the family would challenge the charges in court.
They were all released on bond, said Mr Lungu, adding that they were safe at home after being questioned by DEC officials for several hours late Thursday.
The former leader has been accusing the government of victimising him and members of his Patriotic Front (PF) party to block his return to politics ahead of 2026 elections.
He recently claimed to have been put under house arrest over his heightened political activities, although the government denied it.
Heritage Times HT recall that last September, Esther Lungu was arrested over corruption allegations, involving cases of theft of motor vehicles and title deeds, which she denied.
While her recent arrest is on suspicion of fraudulently acquiring a luxurious real estate in Lusaka, the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) said in a statement.
It said Ms Lungu owned “15 white double storey flats” situated in State Lodge area of Lusaka’s Chongwe town, “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime”.
The exact date the property, owned jointly with other unknown people, was acquired was not clear but the DEC said it was bought between 2015 and 2023.
The DEC said her daughter was faced with additional charges of acquiring another three flats estate in Lusaka, suspected to have been bought fraudulently.
“Further, she was arrested for possession of 1 high-cost house, four chicken runs, and associated external works in the property,” the agency added.
Another of Ms Lungu’s daughters, Tasila, is facing separate but related charges, according to the DEC.
She has been ordered through her lawyers to appear at the DEC on Monday.
The accused persons did not comment on the allegations but in a brief statement, the former president said the family would challenge them in court.
However, It was not immediately clear if and when they will appear in court.
