Former First Lady Esther Lungu Arrested on Theft Charges

The police in Lusaka have detained Esther Lungu, the former first lady of Zambia and the spouse of ex-president Edgar Lungu, on four counts of theft. She is alleged to have taken motor vehicles and a title deed from two women, Elizabeth Chanje Phiri and Hannah Patel.

The police say that the thefts happened between May 2022 and September 2022, when Edgar Lungu was still the president. Esther Lungu was interrogated by the police in May this year but was not arrested until today.

She is being held at Ibex Police Station, together with four other suspects who are suspected to be her partners in crime. The police have not revealed the reason behind the thefts or the worth of the stolen items.

The arrest of Esther Lungu has shocked many Zambians, who have seen a peaceful transfer of power from Edgar Lungu to Hakainde Hichilema, who won the presidential election in August this year. Hichilema has vowed to fight corruption and uphold the rule of law in the country.

However, the public opinion on this news is divided. Some people are supportive of Esther Lungu and her family and argue that she is innocent until proven guilty. They accuse the DPP of violating the Constitution and targeting her for Political reasons. Others are in favor of the arrest and the forfeiture of her properties and say that she deserves to face justice for stealing from the people. They praise the new government for taking action against corruption and impunity.

This news may affect Edgar Lungu’s reputation negatively, as it may reinforce the perception that he and his party were involved in corruption and mismanagement of the country’s resources. 

On the flipside, the news may have a mirror impact on Zambia's economy. The arrest of Esther Lungu may affect the investor confidence. It may signal the commitment of the new government to fight corruption and improve governance.