Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani, a noted businessperson and philanthropist, is also the founder and current chairperson of the Prison Fellowship Zambia. It is a notable Christian Outreach Program that focusses on bringing the gospels and learnings of Jesus Christ to prisoners, their families as well as ex-prisoners in Zambia. Recently, Dr. Rajan Mahtani openly supported the latest announcement made by the Zambian President. President Hakainde Hichilema, on the eve of the Africa Day’ announced that he is planning to abolish the cruel, degrading and inhumane law of death penalty. Dr. Rajan Mahtani has extended his full support towards this cause and has stated that he and his company Prison Fellowship will provide all forms of support, legal and regulatory, to ensure that this announcement turns into a reality.
Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani, while praising the decision from the Zambian President, stated that only a compassionate person with respect for fundamental human rights and love for almighty God will have the courage to make such announcement. Several previous Presidents have been tactfully avoiding the death penalty with tactics such as mercy prerogatives and decongestions of prisons. In fact, the last death penalty was given in the year 1997. Despite this, none of the previous presidents actively considered removal of this inhumane practice. Dr. Rajan Mahtani, adding voice to his cause, iterated that death penalty does not resolve the issue of crimes and criminal activities across the nation. There are hundreds of people under capital punishment across Zambian prisoners. Life is already dreadful for them as they wake up every day not knowing if it will be their last day on this earth. Also, the condition of the prisons across Zambia is extremely degrading with prisoners staying in a hell like scenario. As such, the announcement made by the Zambian president is a step in the right direction.
Also, Dr. Rajan Mahtani stated that it is a long path from making such announcement to actually seeing it as a legal establishment and Dr. Mahtani will support the President in making it happen.