Former First Lady, Esther Lungu, arrested for theft of motor vehicle

Madam Esther Lungu, along with four others, has been arrested and charged with three counts of theft of motor vehicle.

Lusaka, 6th Sept – Mrs. Lungu has been arrested along with four others namely James Phiri aged 49, Lee Chisulo aged 31, Kapambwe Lungu aged 42 and Catherine Banda aged 30, with three counts of theft of motor vehicle. Along with the four other suspects, she has also been charged with theft of Title of Property.

Also Read: Zambia under the worst Zambia Police Service leadership ever.

Deputy police spokesperson Danny Mwale said all suspects have been detained in police custody.

“Police have jointly formally charged and arrested the former First Lady, Esther Lungu aged 66, James Phiri aged 49, Lee Chisulo aged 31, Kapambwe Lungu aged 42 and Catherine Banda aged 30 all of Lusaka for three counts of theft of motor vehicle contrary to section 281(a) (2) of chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia,” reads, in part, the statement by Deputy Police Spokesperson, Danny Mwale.

“The suspects have also been charged and arrested with one count of Theft of a Certificate of Title for a property seating on stand number S/Lusaka/SLN 0003/2977 in Libala South,” further reads the statement.

Mr. Mwale added that Mrs. Lungu has also been charged and arrested for the offence of Possession of Property Believed to be proceeds of crime.

Also Read: Arbitrary arrests and the diminishing political space.

◾Hichilema tries in vain to squeeze Esther Lungu’s throat…

Looking for any case to use to frustrate the former First Family, Mr. Hichilema jumped on a family affair he should have avoided if he had been wise. This case has potential to fly back into his face.

This is a matter in which the former First Lady, Mama Esther Lungu gave her niece $400,000 cash for safekeeping. However, the niece then passed on the money and gave it to another person identified as Elizabeth Chanje Phiri and her daughter, Fuhanah Patel.

Later, after it was discovered that the this money was lost, police pursued Elizabeth Chanje Phiri. She later entered into an agreement with the former First Lady and decided to surrender motor vehicles and other properties from the same proceeds of the $400,000 she is alleged to have misappropriated in order to settle the matter.

However early this year, Elizabeth Chanje Phiri and her daughter Hannah Patel were advised by the powers that be to file a criminal complaint on this matter alleging that their properties were stolen.

Elizabeth Chanje Phiri claims these properties were allegedly stolen from her by the former First Lady, Mama Esther Lungu and others. Like really? Mr. Hichilema, you can do better!

Mama Esther Lungu is being represented by Makebi Zulu from Makebi and Advocates and Charles Changano from D. Findlay & Associates.

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