Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani noted businessman and philanthropist from Zambia, recently announced his full support towards the decision made by the Zambian President. On Africa Day, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema announced that his government is planning to completely abolish the concept of death penalty. Dr. Rajan Mahtani said that he absolutely supports this statement as death penalty is an archaic law that is cruel, inhumane and degrading. The law of death penalty is already banned across most parts of the world as well as across Africa. As such, this announcement from the Zambian government was long due. Further adding to his statement, Dr. Rajan Mahtani said that past presidents of Zambian have been tactically avoiding the death penalty row. The last time death penalty was given in the year 1997 under President Chiluba. Since then, President have been tactically avoiding death penalty by giving mercy prerogatives. However, none of these presidents have actually tried to resolve the issue from its core. As such, Dr. Rajan Mahtani praised the decision from the Zambian President by stating that only an individual who is passionate, respects the rule of law, respects the right to live as well as respects fundamental human rights and basic human dignity will be able to make such decisions.
Furthermore, Dr. Rajan Mahtani also stated that it is high time for Zambia to abolish this archaic law as it does not make any sense in the modern legal system. There are several prisons in Zambia where the living conditions are degrading. Past visits from Presidents and Vice-Presidents have revealed the degrading conditions of the maximum prisons, with some referring to these prisons as ‘hell on earth’. This has prompted the Zambian government to take initiative with Correctional Facilities and Parole Board Zambia (PBZ) for strategic decongestion of firms. In this scenario, giving death penalty to the prisoners does not make any sense as they are already living a life of punishment. As such, the death penalty announcement is a step in the right direction for the Zambian President.
