The criminal justice system of Zambia observed a historic moment when the residing President of Zambia unearthed his plans of abolishing this practice of capital punishment from the legal system. This announcement was met with widespread support from Zambia and outside, including notable businessman and philanthropist Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani. President Hakainde Hichilema, on the eve of the Africa Day, announced his quest towards abolishing capital punishment.
Dr. Rajan Mahtani, who is the founder and current chairman of the Prison Fellowship Zambia (PFZ), wholeheartedly supported this announcement. Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani is known for his several philanthropic and charitable activities across Zambia, spread across several decades. For instance, Dr. Mahtani established the Stephen Malama award and scholarship for top law graduates in Zambia. This award comes with a significant cash prize with 15,000 Kwacha which provides significant support to the deserving students. In an analogous manner, Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani established the Prison Fellowship Zambia (PFZ), a Christian Outreach Program established to bring the teachings and learnings from Jesus Christ to the Prisoners. The organization was established more than 37 years ago and has become a top outreach program for giving criminal justice, fair trial as well as fundamental human rights to the inmates, ex-inmates and their families in Zambia.
Dr. Rajan Mahtani and his organization extended their full support towards this decision and applauded this bold, yet right announcement made by the Zambian President. In his voice, Dr. Rajan Mahtani stated that despite receiving mixed reactions and quite a few negative reactions, the announcement made by the Zambian President is a step in the right direction with respect to the pending legal reforms in Zambia. Dr. Rajan Mahtani congratulated the President and said that only a person who is passionate, has compassion as well as respects the need for fundamental human rights Dr. Rajan Mahtani, through his company Prison Fellowship Zambia, will support the President’s decision in all manner possible.