A resident of Luangwa district has petitioned the Legal and Justice Sector Reforms Commission to remove a clause in the constitution that provides for a death sentence on convicts of capital offences.
Chikota Milamba, a middle aged man of Feira told the commission that in order to uphold the preamble of the country’s constitution which declares Zambia as a Christian nation, there was need to remove the death penalty in the constitution.
Mr. Milamba stated that the death penalty is against both the bible and the human rights conventions which Zambia has ratified.
He said Zambia should be governed on the biblical principles because it is a Christian nation saying the right to terminate life should be left to God and not a fellow human being.
He added that the laws of Zambia should be in conformity with the bible which is a guide for Christianity.
Mr. Milamba urged the commission to reject what he called unbiblical submissions by some people who he said are calling for the inclusion of unnatural practices such as homosexuality and lesbianism in the constitution.He stated that he has been following the commission’s public sittings with keen interest and noticed that supporters of unnatural practices were allowed to submit which he said was bad for a Christian nation.
The preamble of the Constitution of Zambia declares the country as a Christian nation but upholds the rights of every person to enjoy that person’s freedom of conscience or religion.The constitution also upholds the human rights and fundamental freedoms of every person and recognizes the equal worth of communities in the country.
But in the bill of rights the same constitution provides that a person may be deprived of life if that person has been convicted of a capital offence and sentenced to death.It however justifies that a person shall not be deprived of life intentionally except to the extent authorized by the constitution or any other law.
Meanwhile , Transparency International Zambia Executive Director Lee Habasonda wondered what would happen to some citizens of Zambia who belong to other religions other than Christianity if the constitution ceases to recognize them.
Mr. Habasonda stated that besides being a Christian nation, the constitution is also in order to recognize the rights of Zambians who belong to other religions.
The legal and Justice Sector Reform conducted a one day public sitting in Luangwa district where 17 petitioners made their submissions.
The Commission is expected to hold similar sittings in Chongwe district tomorrow and later next week in Chirundu and Kafue districts.
Yes the Death Penalty can be abolished BUT for Murderers!
Keep the death penalty..
But ifya ku iduda pamatako noku imyanga mu mbufukeke fyena twakana….
Keep the death penalty please for murderers….
But ifya ku iduda pamatako no ku imyanga mu mbufukeke fyena iyooo twakana….
The death penalty shd stay and be used for murderers…
But ifya ku iduda pampuuti no ku imyanga mu mbufukeke fyeno iyooooo…….
Yes the right terminate somebody’s life be left to God not the under 5 freemanson who terminated Mazoka’s life so he can take over UPND….
The death penalty is Biblical and is underscored by Romans 13.
Roman 13: 4?- for it is God’s minister to you for your good. But if you are doing what is bad, be in fear, for it is not without purpose that it bears the sword. It is God’s minister, an avenger to express wrath against the one practicing what is bad.
Iwe ka Chikota, what Christianity are you talking about if not what is written? In fact you end up feeding the same criminals who raped your wife, murdered your relative or swept your house clean as you pay your VAT when buying any item in the shops.
if you look at how the recent pregnant woman was sturbed to death wth a knife, how 3 security guards were struggled to death in L/stone and many more similar killings you will hesitate to advocate for removal of death penalty. Going by the golden rule ,l would not wish anyone who threaten my life well
The death penalty should STAY. Think about recent murders at Batoka Sky in L’stone where the murderers made away with K 48,000 after killing THREE breadwinners! Why should you maintain their upkeep in prison by paying for their accommodation, pay for their medical services at prison clinics, pay for their food and even pay for their security?… (they’re more secure than you, mind you!) By having the death penalty it is 100% confirmed that the murderer will not kill again and it brings disclosure to the victim’s relatives. Think about the gruesome murder of Ruth Mbandu. Do you think her relatives want the culprit to be gifted with a life prison term???!!!
Shlt! I meant closure. Writing like LT, mmmhhh?
In 1986, Morgan Mwansa (not real name) was convicted of murder. He was convicted and sentenced to death and he was executed in 1993 at Mukobeko. In 2002, Abraham Kabongo (not real name) repented and confessed that he was the murderer. This was long after Mwansa had been hanged. How does the above real life case stand with the death penalty?
Sad as that is, it is a rare occurrence upon which we cant base the entire law on. Fact is that some murderers are better off dead and the world is much safer without them. Look at the examples already quoted on here….
The only reason I support calls for removal of the death penalty is that the justice system is highly compromised resulting in innocent people being convicted. A number of cases have emerged in the US where the system convicted innocent people and they were sentenced to life. God knows how many have been executed due to wrong convictions!!!!
I agree. It was about time it was done away with.
Death penalty is discredited because it is irreversible. With gene technologies, it is possible to prove the innocence of certain convicts. To promote a sense of fairness and to fight impunity, it is better to apply life imprisonment. The State needs to protect and empower its citizens.