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. Dr. Rajan Mahtani is one of the most successful businessmen in Zambia and Africa. He is known for his philanthropic and charitable contributions to Zambia and its people. 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.
Dr. Rajan Mahtani further stated that his company Prison Fellowship Zambia (PFZ) is ready to provide legal and regulatory support towards the decision from the Zambian President. It is a noted Christian Outreach program that focuses on ensuring that the gospel and teachings from the Almighty Jesus reach the prisoners and ex-prisoners of Zambia along with their families. Also, the program focuses on ensuring that prisoners across Zambia are not devoid of basic human dignity and fundamental human rights. Dr. Rajan Mahtani also stated that several Presidents before the current one refused when it came to sign execution orders. In most of these cases, the Presidents avoid giving the death penalty execution by using mercy prerogatives. The last execution order in Zambia was given in the year 1997 by President Chiluba. Dr. Rajan Mahtani recollects his experience with the former vice-president and acting President of Zambia, Guy Scott when he visited the Maximum Prison in Mukobeko. He said that it was like a hell on this planet. Dr. Rajan Mahtani argued against the death penalty from a religious point of view too, wherein he stated that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross paid for all sins of the human beings on this planet who believed in him.
Overall, Dr. Rajan Mahtani praised the decision from the Zambian President and stated that it is a step in the right direction.
