Zambia’s President Lungu pardons over 400 inmates

Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu has pardoned 428 prison inmates to mark Africa Day, according to Zambia’s Daily Mail and Lusaka Times newspapers.

Both are quoting a statement from Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo which says Mr Lungu was exercising his “prerogative of mercy” under the constitution.

Article 97 provides for “presidential pardon and substitution of severe forms of punishment imposed on convicted persons”.

“We are confident that the pardoned persons have been rehabilitated and are ready for reintegration in society,” Minister Kampyongo’s statement is reported as saying.