Lusaka, Zambia – Zambia’s former First Lady Esther Nyawa Lungu and her daughter, Chiyeso Katete, were arrested on Thursday in Lusaka, alongside a close relative, Charles Phiri. The trio faces charges related to the possession of properties suspected to be proceeds of crime, according to the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC).
The DEC reported that Ms. Lungu failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the acquisition of a $1.5 million (£1.2 million) estate in Lusaka. This estate, comprising “15 white double-storey flats” in the State Lodge area of Chongwe town, is suspected of having been acquired fraudulently between 2015 and 2023.
Chiyeso Katete, her daughter, is also facing serious allegations. She is accused of acquiring another three flats estate in Lusaka under dubious circumstances. Additionally, she allegedly possesses a high-cost house, four chicken runs, and other associated external works on the property. Both women were released on bond after several hours of questioning by DEC officials.
Former President Edgar Lungu, responding to the arrests, asserted, “We will challenge these charges in court. This is a clear case of political victimisation intended to block my return to politics.” The former president has repeatedly accused the current government of targeting him and his Patriotic Front (PF) party members to impede his political ambitions ahead of the 2026 elections.
Adding to the family’s legal woes, another of Ms. Lungu’s daughters, Tasila, is also under scrutiny. The DEC has summoned her to appear on Monday to address related charges.
This recent arrest is not an isolated incident for the Lungu family. Last September, Esther Lungu was detained over separate corruption allegations involving the theft of motor vehicles and title deeds, charges she has consistently denied.
The DEC’s statement highlights the ongoing efforts by President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration to combat corruption, an initiative that has seen several former ministers and government officials investigated. President Hichilema has been vocal about his commitment to recovering resources allegedly embezzled during Edgar Lungu’s tenure.
However, this anti-corruption campaign has its critics. Some argue that the drive is politically motivated, and aimed at neutralising potential threats to the current administration. “This is not about justice; it’s about eliminating political competition,” said a senior PF member who requested anonymity.
Since losing the presidency to Hichilema in 2021, Edgar Lungu has maintained a low profile until he announced his political comeback last October. This move led to the government revoking his retirement benefits, a decision that has fueled allegations of political persecution.
Despite the arrests and ongoing investigations, the exact date for court appearances remains unclear. What is evident, however, is the intensifying political drama in Zambia as the 2026 elections approach, with the former president and his family at the center of a high-stakes legal and political battle.
