Zambian police arrest former president's son on suspicion of corruption

By James Kunda

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - Police in Zambia arrested former President Edgar Lungu's son on Monday, charging him with possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime.

Daliso Lungu, 36, a businessman, was jointly charged with his wife Matildah Milinga, also aged 36, in their capacity as directors of a firm called Saloid Traders Limited.

In a statement from the capital, Lusaka, police spokesman Rae Hamoonga said the company owns 48 motor vehicles valued at over 23 million Zambian Kwacha ($1.34 million) and fixed assets valued at over 12 million Kwacha ($704,000) suspected to be proceeds of crime.

"Further, Daliso Lungu as an individual has been arrested and charged for the offence of possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime, in relation to the possession of 21 motor vehicles all valued at more than one million Zambian Kwacha and fixed assets valued at more than 31 million Zambian Kwacha, all registered in his name," Hamoonga said.

He said Daliso had also been arrested and charged for money laundering, in a case where it is alleged that he laundered more than 23 million Kwacha.

"He was depositing this money into the Saloid Traders Limited account domiciled at the Zambia National Commercial Bank. This occurred between Sept. 17, 2017 and Jan. 24, 2022 in Lusaka," added Hamoonga.

He said the two had been released on police bond and will appear in court soon.

Daliso's arrest comes barely a week after the country's law enforcement agencies seized the properties of former President Lungu's wife Esther and daughter Tasila on suspicion they were illegally acquired.

The move was described a witch hunt by Lungu's supporters, a statement rebuffed by the government, which said the law enforcement agencies were merely following the law.​​​​​​​

Lungu lost power to incumbent Hakainde Hichilema in 2021, with his successor having heavily de-campaigned his regime by branding it "corrupt."