President Hichilema Pardons 1,505 Inmates Ahead of Africa Freedom Day

President Hakainde Hichilema exercised his prerogative of mercy on 1,505 inmates on 24 May 2026, in commemoration of Africa Freedom Day. Of the total, 708 inmates were released, comprising 700 ordinary inmates, two women with circumstantial children, one senior citizen and five convicted foreign nationals, while 797 had their sentences commuted to terminable sentences. The pardons were issued in accordance with Article 97 of the Constitution of Zambia, which provides for presidential pardon and substitution of severe punishments. Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Dickson Matembo announced the pardons in a ministerial statement to ZNBC, noting that the exercise forms part of broader government measures to address overcrowding in correctional facilities, alongside the construction and expansion of existing correctional centres.