Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
President Hakainde Hichilema has pardoned 700 inmates in commemoration of the Zambia’s 57th independence anniversary.
Announcing the development during a media briefing, home affairs minister Jack Mwiimbu said the action by the president is in accordance with article 97 of the constitution of Zambia which provides for the presidential pardon and substitution of severe punishments imposed on convicted persons.
Mr. Mwiimbu said among the pardoned include 642 males, 10 of whom are old aged, and 58 females, 24 of them with circumstantial children.
Mr. Mwiimbu has disclosed that the current female inmate population from all correctional centers stands at 735 which represents 3.23 percent of the total inmate population.
The minister further discloses that the total population of prisoners in the country currently stands at 23,062 against a holding capacity of 10,500.
Mr. Mwiimbu is hopeful that the pardoning of the 700 prisoners will help in some way to decongest the correctional facilities.