Former First Lady Arrested for Theft

Yesterday, the former first lady Esther Lungu was arrested and charged with theft by Zambian police.

Esther, the wife of former president Edgar Lungu, who was in office from 2015 to 2021, was convicted along with James Phiri, Lee Chisulo, Kapambwe Lungu, and Catherine Banda.

Zambia Police Deputy Public Relations Officer Danny Mwale, Danny Mwale, told reporters that Esther was jointly charged on three counts of theft of motor vehicles and a count of theft of a certificate of title for a property.

Additionally, Esther has been separately charged with possession of property suspected to be acquired as proceeds from a crime.

“All the suspects are currently detained in police custody,” Mwale said to press.

Prior to Mwale's statement, Esther appeared at a local police station. She was accompanied by members of the Patriotic Front (PF), the party her husband led before announcing his retirement from politics in 2021.

Raphael Nakacinda, a PF spokesman, has accused President Hichilema of trying to divert the nation’s attention away from issues of economic hardships faced by citizens. Likewise, Brian Mundubile, a leader of the opposition in parliament, labelled Esther’s arrest as “frivolous.”