Zambian ex-President Edgar Chagwa Lungu's son, Dalitso Lungu, has been ordered to surrender a vast collection of 79 cars, a petrol station, and 'luxury' flats, following a court ruling that has sparked controversy. The Economic and Financial Crimes Division of the High Court assessed Dalitso's financial capacity, scrutinizing his employment history and income. Evidence revealed a brief stint at a beverages company in Lusaka in 2012 and a three-year tenure at the Zambia Revenue Authority, which the court deemed insufficient to justify the acquisition of such assets. The court's investigation into his company, Saloid Traders Limited, uncovered discrepancies in financial statements, tax returns, bank records, and social security contributions, casting doubt on the legality of the acquisitions. The judges ruled that Dalitso Lungu failed to provide substantial evidence linking the funds used to purchase the properties to his parents, President Lungu and his wife, Esther Lungu. This ruling comes amidst ongoing investigations into the Lungu family's wealth, with other members facing similar allegations of fraudulent wealth accumulation. In 2024, the high court ordered Esther Lungu to forfeit 15 flats valued at $3.5 million. Critics argue that the anti-corruption drive is politically motivated, while Mrs. Lungu, who has been in South Africa since her husband's death, continues to fight for his burial there, challenging the court's decision to send his body back to Zambia.
