Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani Supports Decision From The Zambian President

President Hakainde Hichilema, on the special occasion of Africa Day, announced that he is planning to completely abolish the death penalty law. This announcement from the President has received widespread support amid a few criticisms. One of the biggest supporters if this recent announcement is Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani, celebrated businessman and philanthropist from Zambia. Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani is the founder and owner of Prison Fellowship Zambia which is a noted Christian Outreach Program established with the objective of bringing the teachings of Jesus Christ to the prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families in Zambia. In a similar manner, Prison Fellowship works towards ensuring fundamental human rights and basic human dignity for the prisoners as well as provide them with transparent criminal justice.

According to interview excerpt of Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani published at the Mast Newspaper, more than 380 inmates across Zambia are at present under death penalty. These are the people who are continuously looking behind their shoulder, not knowing which day will be their last. Dr. Rajan Mahtani said that this practice is extremely cruel and also there are inmates who have transformed themselves and are fully dedicated to the service of the god. If there is an opportunity for these inmates to transform their lives, live with repentance and dedication towards the god, then this opportunity is taken away by the inhuman practice of death penalty. Dr. Rajan Mahtani further stated that the last death penalty was given in the year 1997 by President Chiluba. Also, the Zambian Government along with Correctional Services via the Zambian Parole Board have started decongestion of the prisons across the nation with release of prisoners after due diligence.

In these conditions, giving death penalty does not provide any value and does not offer any solution for the Zambian government. Instead, the Government of Zambia should rally behind the announcement from the Zambian President and should ensure that it becomes a reality soon.