HH PARDONS 1,505 INMATES AHEAD OF AFRICA FREEDOM DAY
President Hakainde Hichilema has exercised his prerogative of mercy on 1,505 inmates in commemoration of the Africa Freedom day which falls tomorrow
Of the number, 708 inmates have been released, while 797 inmates have had their sentences commuted to terminable sentences.
This is in accordance with Article 97 of the Constitution which provides for Presidential pardon and substitution of severe punishments imposed on convicted persons.
Out of the total number 708,700 are ordinary inmates, two are women inmates with circumstantial children, one senior citizen and five are convicted foreign nationals.
Home Affairs Permanent Secretary, Dickson Matembo announced this in a ministerial statement to ZNBC News today.
Mr Matembo said the presidential pardon and remission of sentences is one of the measures among others the government has taken to reduce overcrowding in correctional facilities.
He said other measures include construction and expansion of the existing correctional centres.
Mr. Matembo urged the families of the Former Inmates to be receptive and not to discriminate against them.
He says if not accepted and neglected the former inmates are swayed into a life of crime as they tend to re-offend and go back to the correctional facility.
Meanwhile, Mr Matembo has disclosed that to boost the morale of Officers, Government has procured a new combat uniform for officers under the Zambia Correctional Service, which will be launched in July 2026.
He said that the Government is also looking at modalities to expedite the recruitment of officers to help mitigate the challenges of inadequate manpower.
ZNBC