KEITH MUKATA AND 245 OTHER DEATH ROW INMATES SAVED FROM NOOSE

President Edgar Lungu has commuted the jail sentences of 246 inmates from death to life imprisonment.
Among the inmates whose sentences have been commuted is former Justice Deputy Minister Keith Mukata.
Home Affairs Minister, Stephen Kampyongo announced the development at Mukobeko maximum security facility in Kabwe today.
Mr. Kampyongo said of the inmates, 225 are males and 21 females.
The Minister said the clemency of death to life sentences under the leadership of President Lungu has accumulated to over 630.
Mr. Kampyongo said the commutation of sentences comes barely a few weeks after the President exercised his prerogative of Mercy on 130 ordinary inmates last year as part of Christmas celebration.
He also said commutation of sentences of inmates will greatly help to decongest the condemned section of the maximum security.
The Minister further disclosed that Zambia has not carried out any execution of condemned inmates since 1997.
And Mr. Kampyongo said government is doing everything possible to ensure that inmates in various correctional facilities are protected from contracting Covid-19.
Meanwhile Zambia Correctional Service Commissioner General Chisela Chileshe disclosed that the service has recorded 67 cases of Covid-19 among inmates and officers across all correctional facilities.
Dr. Chileshe said the service will continue to enforce measures to protect inmates against the spread of the virus.
He added that the commutation of sentences is an opportunity for inmates to introspect on their past mistakes.
And Dickson Kasongo, inmate whose death sentence has been commuted to life, thanked the President for showing love to inmates.