The President of Zambia recently made a stunning announcement. On the special occasion of Africa Day, President Hakainde Hichilema announced his quest towards abolishing the death penalty. Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani, one of the most successful and noted businessmen from Zambia, has extended his full support towards this decision. Dr. Rajan Mahtani stated that the concept of the death penalty is cruel, inhumane, and degrading and does not provide any solution for the Zambian government. In a similar manner, Dr. Rajan Mahtani also stated that there is a significant difference between making such announcements and taking them to the final stage or making them a reality. The process is extremely difficult and requires changes in the established law, and regulations as well as facing challenges, resistance, and corruption. As such, Dr. Rajan Mahtani has stated that his company Prison Fellowship will provide all forms of legal and regulatory support to ensure that this decision turns into a reality soon.

Prison Fellowship Zambia (PFZ) is a noted Christian Outreach Program. Dr. Rajan Mahtani established it more than three decades ago and Dr. Mahtani is presently the group Chairman at this institution. PFZ can be identified as a philanthropic contribution from Dr. Rajan Mahtani that works by bringing the teachings and learnings from almighty God to the prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families in Zambia. It also works towards providing basic human dignity and fundamental human rights for the prisoners in Zambia. Furthermore, the program focuses on ensuring transparent criminal justice for the prisoners in Zambia. As such, Dr. Rajan Mahtani stated that the decision from the Zambian President aligns with the objectives and long-term goals of Prison Fellowship, and thereby the latter will provide all forms of legal and regulatory support towards ensuring the success of the announcement.

The prisoners across these prisons are often devoid of basic human dignity and fundamental human rights. Several past Presidents and Vice-Presidents visiting these Maximum facilities termed them as ‘hell’ and ‘unliveable’. As such, the announcement from the Zambian President is all the more important.