The death penalty is cruel and should be abolished. With this fundamental in mind, President of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema announced that he is planning to abolish the death penalty row. This announcement was made on the event of Africa Day and the President’s decision was followed by significant support among a few mixed responses. Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani, a celebrated businessman, and philanthropist as well as a charity worker in Zambia, extended his full support towards the decision made by the Zambian President. Dr. Rajan Mahtani, while adding his voice to this decision, stated that the death penalty is a cruel, degrading, and inhumane law that holds no significance in the modern economy. At the same time, Dr. Rajan Mahtani also highlighted the fact majority of the past Presidents have been avoiding capital punishment. The last death penalty was given in the year 1997 under President Chiluba and the person was executed. Since then, Zambian Presidents have been strategically avoiding death penalty by giving mercy prerogatives. However, none of these Presidents have actually worked towards eradicating this archaic law. As such, the decision from the present Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema was unwavering and bold and in the right direction.
At the same time, the Zambian government has also started strategic decongestion of the prisons and releasing of inmates who have transformed. This decision came on the back of several past presidents visiting the Zambian maximum prisons and stating the pathetic condition of the prisons. As such, the Zambian government collaborated with the Parole Board of Zambia and the Correctional facility for the strategic release of prisoners. In this manner, the decision from the Zambian President is a step in the right direction. Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani further stated that while it is a good announcement, there is still a significant path for the government toward making this announcement a reality. As such, Dr. Rajan Mahtani said that his company Prison Fellowship Zambia will provide full legal and regulatory support towards this decision.