The Zambian President recently made a whirlwind announcement, support by noted Zambian businessman and philanthropist Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani. President Hakainde Hichilema, on the eve of Africa Day, announced that he is planning to abolish the degrading, cruel and inhumane practice of death penalty. This decision received widespread support from across Africa including Dr. Rajan Mahtani. Dr. Rajan Mahtani is one of the top businessman and philanthropist across Zambia and Africa. He is owner of several top companies including Mahtani Group and Finsbury Investments among others. He is also responsibility for several philanthropic and charitable contributions including Prison Fellowship Zambia as well as Stephen Malama award and scholarship for top law graduates in Zambia. Dr. Rajan Mahtani founded the Prison Fellowship Zambia more than three decades ago and presently resides as the Chairman of the program. It is a notable Christian Outreach Program and works towards the welfare of the inmates across Zambia by providing them with transparent criminal justice, fundamental human rights and dignity as well as teachings and gospels of the almighty Jesus Christ.
Prison Fellowship Zambia has extended its full support towards transforming this announcement into a reality. Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani, in a recent interview at the Mast Newspaper, stated that the practice of death penalty does not provide any solution for the growing crimes and criminal activities in Zambia. In fact, those under the death penalty law are already facing severe punishment along with a degrading and challenging surrounding of the prison. In the past, several Presidents of Zambia gave mercy prerogatives for avoiding the death penalty. The last death penalty was approved in the year 1997. Since then, the government has been working with organizations such as PBZ (Parole Board of Zambia) and Correctional Services to release prisoners based on their behaviour and dedication towards remaining law-abiding citizens of Zambia. Dr. Rajan Mahtani further stated that he will provide all forms of legal and regulatory support to the recent announcement by the Zambian President.