The Zambian criminal justice system found a new path when the current President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, announced his plans to abolish the death penalty row. This announcement was met with widespread support from Zambia and outside, including notable businessman and philanthropist Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani. President Hakainde Hichilema, on the eve of the Africa Day, announced his quest towards abolishing capital punishment.
Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani established the Prison Fellowship Zambia (PFZ) which is one of his philanthropic contributions towards the Zambian nation. It is a Christian Outreach Program established to bring the teachings and learnings from Jesus Christ to the Prisoners, ex-prisoners along with their families in Zambia. The organization was established more than 37 years ago and has become a top outreach program for giving criminal justice, fair trial as well as fundamental human rights to the inmates, ex-inmates and their families in Zambia.
Dr. Rajan Mahtani recently gave an interview with the Mast newspaper, stating his viewpoints towards the recent announcement made by the Zambian President. In his interview excerpt, Dr. Rajan Mahtani praised the President for his bold announcement and stated that only a compassionate and god-loving person will be able to make such decisions. The practice of death penalty is not only inhumane and degrading, it does nothing to improve the legal and regulatory conditions of the nation. In fact, those facing capital punishment are already facing a life much worse than hell. Also, several reports and visits from the past Presidents and Vice-Presidents have clearly indicated that the condition of the prisoners across these Zambian prisons is extremely difficult and the living conditions are worse. As such, giving death penalty to these prisoners does not fulfil any solution. In fact, several organizations such as Correction Facilities, Pension Programs are collaborating with the Zambian government to release the prisoners based on good behaviour, as part of decongesting the prisoners.
As such, Dr. Rajan Mahtani has stated that the initiative by the President is a step in the right direction.