Hichilema pardons 852 inmates in Zambia
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Zambianobserver
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has pardoned 852 inmates to mark the 62nd anniversary of independence, celebrated on 24 October. He also commuted the sentences of 146 other prisoners, a measure presented by the Interior Ministry as a way to reduce prison overcrowding and support rehabilitation, The People’s Brief reports.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has pardoned 852 inmates to mark Zambia’s 62nd Independence anniversary, celebrated on 24 October, Zambianobserver reports. The beneficiaries include 838 ordinary inmates, four women imprisoned with their children, eight elderly people and two foreign nationals.
Hakainde Hichilema also commuted the sentences of 146 other inmates to fixed-term sentences. Dickson Matembo, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, presented the measures as a way of supporting rehabilitation, reducing prison overcrowding and moving away from the use of the death penalty.
Dickson Matembo called on families and communities to support released inmates as they return to society, according to Zambianobserver.
