Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu graces 593 prisoners except Gregory Cifire and Derrick Sinjela

President of Zambia, Edgar Lungu has pardoned 593 prisoners from different correctional facilities across the nation, a senior government official said on December 25.

According to a statement released by Zambia's Minister of Local Government and Housing, Stephen Kampyongo on December 24, the move was in exercise of the powers vested in the Zambian leader to exercise presidential pardon and substitution of severe sentences. He said of those pardoned, 575 were serving long sentences while 18 were serving long term sentences.

Stephen Kampyongo opined that the pardoned inmates consist of convicts serving both short- and long-term sentences ranging from 6 months to 35years. According to him, 532 are male while 43 are female of the total 593 prisoners. President Edgar Lungu has done this in accordance with article 97 of the republican constitution which provides for Presidential Pardon, as reported by Lusaka Times. The authorities, he said, were fully convinced that the pardoned inmates had fully rehabilitated and were ready for reintegration into society.

On the other hand, the Governance, Elections, Advocacy, Research Services (GEARS) says the Head of State must consider invoking the provisions of article 97 of the constitution of Zambia on the Prerogative of Mercy on Journalist Derrick Sinjela and Civic Activist, Gregory Cifire. McDonald Chipenzi, executive director of GEARS opined that the Sinjela and Cifire were convicted of contempt of the Supreme Court ensuing their comments on the Savenda Management Services Versus Stanbic Bank Zambia case disposed of by the same court and sentenced the duo to 18 months and six years respectively.