President Sata pardons 365 prisoners

President Michael Sata has pardoned 365 prisoners from various prisons across the country as part of the Africa Freedom Day Celebrations.

Mr. Sata exercised this through the powers vested in him by article 59 of the constitution of Zambia.

Copper belt Province recorded the highest number of freed prisoners totalling 88,  followed Central Province with 56 prisoners pardoned.

Eastern province had 49, Western Province had  47, Southern Province had  34, Luapula Province 22 , Lusaka Province 21,North-Western Province 20, Muchinga Province 18,while Northern Province recorded the lowest number  with 15 prisoners pardoned.

The Republican President freed the prisoners during the investure ceremony marking Africa Freedom Day at State house, this morning.

And President Sata has honoured  and awarded 11 Zambians with the  Presidents Medal for Gallantry, the companion order of freedom and the order of distinguished service.

Justine Muwana was awarded at State House with the Presidents Medal for Gallantry award while Cyprian Mulonda, Roy Chilshe, Paul Jere,  Frank Mulenga, Chief Nkambo, Monica Chitu, Veronica Mumba and Doris Chimanyika were awarded and honoured with a companion order of freedom first division.

Those that were awarded with the order of distinguished  service first division were Gibby Nawa posthumously and Dr. Mutumba Bull.

Meanwhile President Michal Sata this morning led Cabinet Ministers , Diplomats, and high commissioners accredited to Zambia in laying wreaths  at the freedom statue as part of the African Freedom Day celebrations.

The President who arrived at the Freedom statue at 10:15 hours was welcomed by Defence and Service Chiefs and later proceeded to greet Cabinet Ministers and their Deputies .

President  Sata later had a jovial moment with former President Rupiah Banda and  other Leaders of the opposition political parties who were  present.

The laying of wreaths and the investiture ceremony was later preceded by celebrations which were characterized with different forms of entertainment at the parked new Heroes Stadium.

Among those who attended the celebrations at the Heroes Stadium  include, Defence Minister Edgar Lungu, Community Development Mother and Child Health Minster Emerine kabanshi, Tourism and Arts Minister Jean Kapata and the Mayor  of the City of Lusaka Mulenga Sata.