The Penal Code (Amendment) Bill number 25 of 2022, which abolishes the imposition of the death penalty and the offense of Criminal Defamation of the President and has been part of Zambian law since before independence, has the assent of President Hakainde Hichilema.
Anthony Bwalya, a spokesman for the president, announced that the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, has been revised with the president’s approval to delete all clauses that called for the imposition of mandatory death sentences in the absence of mitigating circumstances.
The provisions of Section 69 of Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, which set forth the offense of Criminal Defamation of the President, have subsequently been completely repealed, according to Mr. Bwalya, following President Hichilema’s consent this afternoon.
The President’s action this afternoon in assenting to the Penal Code (Amendment) Act number 25 of 2022 is in line with the President’s unwavering commitment to amend all archaic and undemocratic laws in line with the President’s campaign promises to deepen the character of Zambia’s democratic dispensation,” he said.
