Christine Kaseba took maids Stella Michelo and Eusibia Malambo and gardener Zachariah Mulama to court for stealing seven blouses, a dress and a pack of Heineken valued at $500 (£390) from her home in the capital, Lusaka, on 20 July.

Michelo admitted that she stole three tops while Malambo confessed to stealing four. The duo said they did not know what influenced them to steal.

Mulama explained that the beer was given to him by one of the maids, and he just took the pack.

The court ordered that even though he had pleaded guilty, his explanation warranted a trial to establish whether he was really guilty.

Sentencing for the two maids is set for Thursday.

Mr Sata ruled Zambia from 2011 to 2014. He died in office while receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness at a hospital in London at the age of 77.

Ms Kaseba is due to become Zambia's ambassador to France, following her appointment to the post by the government of President Edgar Lungu.