Zambia’s new President Hakainde Hichilema will not move from his private residence to State House, reports the state-owned Zambia Daily Mail newspaper.

This is despite his predecessor Edgar Lungu vacating the premises this week.

The former president is now renting a house owned by China-based Zambian footballer Stopilla Sunzu, according to local media reports.

The secretary general of Mr Hichilema's party, Batuke Imenda, is quoted as saying that while the new head of state will work at State House, he'll carry on living at his private residence, which is called Community House.

“Just like he said before he was sworn in, our president will continue living at his house in New Kasama. He is more comfortable at Community House. When you compare the two places, his house is better,” Mr Imenda said according to the Zambia Daily Mail.

The announcement that Mr Hichilema will not occupy State House comes after Mr Lungu, who was defeated by over a million votes in the 12 August elections, tweeted a farewell message saying that he carries "great memories" of the time he spent at State House:

https://twitter.com/edgarclungu/status/1430581974469599238?s=21