Trial against Zambia's ex-first lady Ms Lungu begins

A trial against Zambia's former first lady Esther Lungu, the wife of ex-President Edgar Lungu, has begun in Lusaka.

She has been charged with the theft of three vehicles, theft of a title for a property in Lusaka and possession of $400,000 (£317,000) alleged to be proceeds of crime.

She is on trial alongside two police officers.

A witness told the court on Monday that Ms Lungu forcefully took her car and the title deed of her house as well as two cars belonging to her daughter.

She added that the accused police officers coerced them into signing over the documents of the properties to Ms Lungu.

Ms Lungu and her co-accused denied wrongdoing when they were arrested over the alleged offences in September.