In the contemporary world, the basics of the death penalty are meaningless. The current president of Zambia made a significant declaration with this idea in mind. President Hakainde Hichilema delivered this declaration in honor of Africa Day, which falls on May 25. It is a day on which the entire African continent unites to honor the unity, rich history, and culture of the continent. On this occasion, the President of Zambia expressed his desire for the Zambian legal government to repeal this antiquated statute. The well-known businessman, public figure, and philanthropist Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani agreed with the Zambian President that the death penalty is cruel, brutal, and demeaning and backed his decision. Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani praised the Zambian President’s decision and noted that numerous African countries had also abolished the death sentence, as had the majority of western countries. Even in Zambia, the last execution took place in 1997, during the administration of President Chiluba. Presidents have since used pleadings for mercy to avoid carrying out the death penalty. Unfortunately, none of these Presidents actually took the initiative to ensure that the death penalty was abolished. Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani complimented this choice by asserting that only a courageous yet sincere person would be able to make such a choice.
The Zambian government has begun releasing prisoners who have changed for the better and strategically decluttering the prisons. This choice was made after several former presidents or acting vice presidents visited the most severe prisons in Zambia and bemoaned their appalling conditions. In order to release inmates strategically, the Zambian government worked with the Parole Board of Zambia and the Zambian Correctional Facility. In this sense, the president of Zambia’s choice is a positive development. Dr. Rajan Mahtani further stated that Prison Fellowship Zambia, his business, will back this choice fully in terms of law and regulations. Dr. Mahtani further praised the Zambian President for his decision.