President Edgar Lungu has pardoned 301 inmates from various correctional facilities countrywide in line with his constitutional powers. Those pardoned include 21 females and 280 males as part of commemorating the country’s 54th independence anniversary. Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo said at a media briefing yesterday that seven of the released inmates are aged.

Mr Kampyongo said President Lungu’s gesture is in accordance with Article 97 of the Constitution, which provides for presidential pardons and substitution of severe punishment imposed on convicted persons. He said Mr Lungu’s amnesty is meant to give chance to the beneficiaries of his gesture to make contribution to their communities using the skills they acquired.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs, Zambia Correctional Service and inmates in the correctional facilities throughout the country are grateful to his Excellency the President [Edgar Lungu] for exercising his prerogative of mercy at a time when the correctional facilities are extremely congested,” he said.

Mr Kampyongo said the Zambia Correctional Service is confident the pardoned persons are ready to be reintegrated in society. He said successful reintegration of former inmates is, however, largely dependent on the support of the immediate families and communities of the former inmates.
Mr Kampyomgo urged family members and members of the public to help the pardoned to reintegrate in society.