The concept of the death penalty has become archaic and must be abolished. With this fundamental in mind, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema recently made an announcement. This announcement was made on the occasion of Africa Day in which the Zambian President said that he plans to abolish the practice of the death penalty entirely. This statement received support from across the nation along with noted and celebrated businessman and philanthropist Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani. Dr. Mahtani, in his interview with ‘Mast Newspaper’, stated that the concept of the death penalty is inhumane, degrading, and cruel and does not provide any significance to the present political and legal environment.

At the same time, Dr. Rajan Mahtani also stated that there is a significant difference between making such announcements and ensuring that it becomes a reality as the process requires significant changes, legal reforms, and overcoming resistance from established processes. As such, Dr. Rajan Mahtani stated that he will provide legal and regulatory support towards ensuring that this decision from the Zambian President becomes reality soon. Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani is the owner of several philanthropic institutions and one of them being Prison Fellowship Zambia (PFZ). It is a noted Christian Outreach Program that focuses on providing transparent criminal justice, fundamental human rights, and basic human dignity for prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families in Zambia. The program also works towards transforming the lives of the prisoners by bringing them closer to the teachings and learnings of almighty God. As such, the goals and objectives of the Prison Fellowship Zambia (PFZ) align with the recent announcement made by the Zambian President.

Further supporting the statement from the Zambian President, Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani stated that across the globe the concept of the death penalty was already abolished, and it was high-time Zambia took action on this. Dr. Mahtani also praised President Hakainde by stating that even though past Presidents have tactically avoided the death penalty, none of them actually worked towards ensuring this law is removed from the core.