‘18 inmates detained at President’s pleasure,’ 1500 others freed by Hichilema to mark Africa Day

President Hakainde Hichilema has pardoned 1,530 inmates from various correctional facilities across the country to mark this year’s Africa Freedom Day.

Hichilema has done this by exercising his prerogative of mercy.

The pardoned inmates include 1,497 ordinary inmates, eight aged, seven convicted foreign Nationals and 18 inmates detained at the President’s pleasure.

Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister, Jack Mwiimbu, announced in Monze district on Thursday that among the pardoned, 89 were females and 1, 441 are males.

“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,” Mwiimbu said.

He also said according to gender parity interests of percentage terms, the 89 females pardoned represented 9.92 percent against 5.979 percent male inmates respectively.

He said the action by President Hichilema was 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.

“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.

“The action also is a fulfilment of the Zambia correctional service mandate of rehabilitating persons who find themselves in conflict with the law,” Mwiimbu said.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.