The President of Zambia, Edgar Lungu has released no fewer than 2,984 prisoners on Monday. A homosexual couple was part of those released by the President to commemorate Africa Day. The release was however aimed at decongesting prison populations to curb the spread of Covid-19.
According to Lusaka Times, Lungu evoked Zambia constitution’s article 97, which permits convicted individuals to be granted presidential pardon or substitution.
The Home Affairs Minister, Stephen Kampyongo announced last week that those granted pardon fell under the prerogative of the President. By implication, that saw 14% of Zambia’s total prison population being pardoned. This comprised 155 females, 55 elderly, 3 medical cases, 11 compassionate, 12 foreign nationals and nine on Lungu’s discretion.
Kampyongo said further that the release was an effort to curb the spread of Coronavirus within prisons, and spent time to commend Zambia Correctional Service’s efforts to abide by the recommendations of World Health Organization’s (WHO) Ministry of Health’s guidelines. The recommendations and guidelines include physical distancing, wearing face masks and washing of hands.
Among those set free were homosexual couple Japhet Chataba and Steven Samba, who were initially sentenced to 15 years in prison in November 2019 after they were found guilty of “performing unnatural acts.”
