President Hakainde Hichilema Announces Death Penalty Abolishment.

On the special occasion of Africa Day, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema announced that he is planning to completely abolish the death penalty law. After this announcement, widespread support was received regarding the announcement and the President’s decision was hailed by all. One of the biggest supporters of the decision by the Zambian President was Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani, noted businessman, philanthropist and charity worker from Zambia. Dr. Rajan Mahtani, while supporting this decision and extending his support via his company Prison Fellowship, stated those under the death penalty were already facing significant punishment on a daily basis as they are not aware of their execution date. Currently, Zambia has more than 380 prisoners awaiting death penalty and around 25-30 of them are women. These are the inmates who are living in constant fear. At the same time, Dr. Mahtani also said that he had previous opportunities of meeting with some inmates who have completely dedicated towards the service of God, transforming themselves on the way.

Furthermore, past Zambian Presidents have constantly refused to sign death penalty or execution orders with the last order being executed in the year 1997 by President Chiluba. This is due to the controversy surrounding death penalty as well as the growing consensus across the globe regarding abolishing death penalty completely. At the same time, the Zambian Government has started the strategic decongestion of prisoners as a result of the dangerous and degrading condition of the Zambian prisons. When former VP and acting President Guy Scott visited the Maximum Prison at Mukobeko, he said that the condition was like hell on planet earth. This forced the Zambian Government to start the initiative of strategic decongestion of prisoners. As such, the concept of death penalty holds no significance. It is a shame that the Government of Zambia as well as past President never engaged in any significant initiative to abolish this archaic, degrading and inhumane law despite growing consensus across the globe as well as in Africa. Overall, the decision from the Zambian President is certainly a step in the right direction.