Zambian ex-first lady arrested on fraud charges

ZAMBIA: Zambia’s former First Lady Esther Lungu and her daughter Chiyeso Katete have been arrested over possession of properties suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The two were arrested on Thursday in the capital, Lusaka, alongside another close relative identified as Charles Phiri, authorities said.

Ms Lungu “failed to give a reasonable explanation” of how she acquired a $1.5m (£1.2m) estate in the capital, the state anti-drug agency said.

Former President Edgar Lungu said the family would challenge the charges in court.

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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.

Last September, his wife was arrested over corruption allegations, involving cases of theft of motor vehicles and title deeds, which she denied.