Hakainde Hichilema scrap off death sentence of 390 prisoners

President Hakainde Hichilema has commuted 390 prisoners’ death Sentence to life imprisonment.

Home Affairs Minister Jack Mwiimbu says the President has acted pursuant to article 97 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of ZAMBIA.

Mr. Mwiimbu also emphasized that following the abolition of the death penalty by President Hichilema last year, no court is expected to impose death penalty.

He said this during a press briefing in Lusaka today.

President Hichilema abolished the death penalty last year in December after he assented to the Penal Code Amendment Bill Number 25 of 2022.

Despite the recent abolition of the death penalty, prisoners who were slapped with death penalty before its abolition are still amenable to presidential pardon because the law is never applied retrospectively.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mwiimbu has revealed that progress is being made towards the amendment of the public order.

He said this is in tandem with the UPND Administration’s resolve to amend all repressive provisions of the law and to abolish archaic laws.

Source:Zambiareports