Zambia’s Opposition Criticizes Former First Lady’s Arrest

The acting president of Zambia’s main opposition Patriotic Front (PFP) party says the arrest of former first lady Esther Lungu and earlier her other family members and former officials is all a ploy by President Hakainde Hichilema to peel away the presidential immunity of former President Edgar Lungu. Zambian police on Wednesday arrested and charged Esther Lungu and four others with theft of motor vehicles and a certificate of title for a property. The former president’s son and daughter-in-law were arrested early this year on allegations of money laundering in the purchase of property worth more than $5 million dollars. Patriotic Front acting president Given Lubinda tells VOA’s James Butty, the former first lady is the actual victim who has been turned into a culprit.