LUSAKA, Oct. 24, (Xinhua/GNA) – Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema, has pardoned 815 inmates, to mark this year’s 59th anniversary of independence, a senior government official said Monday.
Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu, said the president also commuted the sentences of 17 inmates, using his prerogative of mercy.
The minister told reporters during a press briefing, that among those pardoned, are 45 women with children born in prison, and 10 due to old age. He also said pardoning the inmates was a way to decongest the prisons, which currently hold 26,066 inmates against a capacity of 10,650.
Mwiimbu, however, said in order to find long-term measures to address congestion, the government last year embarked on a prison audit, which will come up with recommendations.
Zambia gained independence from the United Kingdom on Oct. 24, 1964.
Every year, celebrations are held across Zambia, to mark the day, and to honor individuals who participated in the struggle for independence.
GNA