The President of Zambia recently established whirlwind announcement, and it was supported by noted Zambian businessman and philanthropist Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani. President Hakainde Hichilema, on the special occasion of Africa Day, announced that he is planning to completely abolish the death penalty practice as it is a cruel, inhumane and degrading practice. After this announcement, President received significant support including Dr. Rajan Mahtani.
According to the recent interview excerpt in ‘Mast Newspaper’ Dr. Rajan Mahtani iterated that the issue of crimes, criminal activities or unethical practices cannot be resolved with death penalty sentences. There are hundreds of prisoners across Zambia, both men and women, who are awaiting death sentence. For them, each day is a punishment as they are not aware of which day will be their last. At the same time, the overall condition of the prisons across Zambia are terrible with significant number of prisoners denied even of basic human dignity and fundamental human rights. Even past acting President and ex-Vice President when visited the maximum prison in Zambia he termed it as hell.
On the other hand, Dr. Rajan Mahtani while working with Prison Fellowship Zambia found that there were several prisoners who found the way to god by dedicating their lives to Jesus Christ and his teachings. Considering the significant overcrowded prisoners creating difficulties, institutes such as Zambian Correctional Centre, Zambian Parole Board have started to collaborate with Zambian Government for systematic release of prisoners from Zambia after their guaranteed revival. As such, the death penalty in such scenario seems of no help and it was a step in the right direction by the Zambian President to announce the abolishment of death penalty row. Furthermore, Dr. Rajan Mahtani also stated that he and his company Prison Fellowship Zambia will provide full support towards this announcement. Prison Fellowship works towards ensuring fundamental human rights, transparent criminal justice and teachings of Jesus Christ to the prisoners. Dr. Mahtani owned Prison Fellowship has extended legal and regulatory support for the success of President’s recent announcement.