Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani is one of the top businessmen, philanthropists, and charity workers from Zambia. Recently, in an interview with Mast Newspaper,’ Dr. Mahtani extended his full support towards the decision made by the Zambian President. On the special occasion of Africa Day, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema made an announcement that was praised and welcomed by all. He announced that he plans to abolish the death penalty row. Dr. Rajan Mahtani supports this announcement and stated that his company Prison Fellowship Zambia will pledge support for the latest announcement from the President to ensure that this announcement turns into a reality soon.

Further supporting the statement by the Zambian President, Dr. Rajan Mahtani stated that death penalty is an archaic law that is inhumane, degrading and cruel. Dr. Rajan Mahtani also stated that there is a growing consensus towards abolishing the death penalty across the globe and this trend can be seen in Zambia and Africa too. Dr. Mahtani further stated that there are hundreds of prisoners across Zambian prisons awaiting death penalty and all these prisoners are living terrible life, not knowing the day when they will be given capital punishment and that will be their last day. As such, it can be said that they are already living a life of punishment and giving them death penalty will not be good for the policymakers, and legal and regulatory frameworks of Zambia. At the same time, it is also a common fact that the condition of Zambian prisoners is extremely degrading with difficult living conditions. In some of the maximum facilities, prisoners are even devoid of basic human dignity and fundamental human rights. This issue has even been raised during past visits from Presidents and Past-Presidents across Zambian prisons. As such, the Zambian Government has not started working with institutions such as Correctional Facilities and Parole Board Zambia (PBZ) for strategic decongestion of prisoners and releasing prisoners after their complete transformation. As such, the death penalty does not make any contribution and should be avoided.