Esther Lungu, Zambia’s former first lady, was arrested on money laundering charges, according to her lawyer Makebi Zulu. Lungu, 66, was detained on Thursday, May 31, 2024 evening along with her two daughters after hours of questioning regarding family properties in Lusaka. She has since been released on bail.
Lungu was charged with possession of properties suspected to be proceeds of crime and money laundering. The properties in question, a block of flats in the upscale New Kasama district, were reportedly constructed by her husband, former president Edgar Lungu, 67.
Zambia’s anti-drug agency stated that Esther Lungu could not provide a satisfactory explanation for the acquisition of the flats, which cost 41 million kwacha ($1.6 million) to build. The agency suspects the flats are proceeds of crime.
Edgar Lungu, who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, lost the presidential election to Hakainde Hichilema. Lungu announced his return to politics last year, with general elections scheduled for 2026. He has since claimed his family is being harassed and that democratic space in Zambia is shrinking.
This is not Esther Lungu’s first legal issue; her home was raided last year over accusations of vehicle theft.
