Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani, a noted businessman and philanthropist from Zambia, recently extended his support towards the announcement made by the President of Zambia. President Hakainde Hichilema, on the special occasion of Africa Day, announced that he is planning to completely abolish the death penalty row. This announcement has received widespread support including that of Dr. Rajan Mahtani. Dr. Mahtani is the known for several philanthropic contributions across Zambia and one of them is Prison Fellowship Zambia. Prison Fellowship Zambia is a noted Christina Outreach Program and works towards giving the teachings and gospel of the Almighty Jesus to prisoners, ex-prisoners as well as their families in Zambia. The program also works towards providing transparent criminal justice as well as fundamental human rights and human dignity to the prisoners in Zambia.
Dr. Rajan Mahtani commended the decision by the President and further stated that the consensus towards abolishment of death penalty has increased across the globe. This trend can be seen in Zambia also. Dr. Rajan Mahtani further stated that there are more than 350 prisoners across Zambian prisons and many of them are women. These inmates wake up every day with fear that this may be their last day on this planet. Furthermore, the government of Zambia is systematically planning the decongestion of the Zambian Prisons. Organizations such as Zambian Correctional Services, Parole Board of Zambia (PBZ) have collaborated to ensure that the congestion at the Zambian Prisons reduces. Also, past presidents and vice-presidents visiting the Zambian maximum prisons have confronted that the condition of the prisons are indeed difficult. Prisoners are often devoid of even basic human dignity and fundamental human rights. The last death execution was given in the year 1997 by President Chilruba and since then, Presidents have been tactfully avoiding the death penalty row using mercy prerogatives. Dr. Rajan Mahtani also said that his company Prison Fellowship will provide legal and regulatory support to President’s announcement.
