PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has exercised his prerogative of mercy by pardoning 1,530 inmates from various correctional facilities across the country to mark this year’s Africa Freedom Day.
The pardoned inmates include 1,497 ordinary inmates, eight aged, seven convicted foreign Nationals and 18 inmates detained at the President’s pleasure.
ZANIS reports that Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Jack Mwiimbu announced the pardoning of inmates in Monze district today.
Mr Mwiimbu disclosed that currently the inmate population stands at 26, 438 against the holding current capacity of 10, 650 which was previously at 9,150 before opening Mwembeshi correctional centre.
He explained that among the pardoned, 89 are females and 1, 441 are males.
The Minister added that according to gender parity interests of percentage terms, the 89 females pardoned represents 9.92 percent against 5.979 percent male inmates respectively.
He said the action by President Hichilema is in exercise of the powers conferred on him by the constitution, pursuant to article 97 of the constitution of Zambia chapter one of the laws of Zambia.
The article provides for the Presidential pardon and substitution of severe punishments imposed on convicted persons.
He said the pardoning of 1, 530 inmates has been done after a rigorous process of scrutiny and assessment in accordance with the provisions of the correctional service act number 37 of 2021.
He said the action also is a fulfilment of the Zambia correctional service mandate of rehabilitating persons who find themselves in conflict with the law. – ZANIS