Zambia and Mozambique sign MoU on the transfer of convicted persons

ZAMBIA and Mozambique have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the transfer of convicted persons between the two countries.

This means that Zambians convicted in Mozambique will be allowed to serve their sentence in their home country and vise-visa.

The two countries have signed another MoU on areas of co-operation.

Minister of Home Affairs Mkhondo Lungu signed on behalf of Zambia while Mozambique’s Minister of Justice, Maria Delfina Benvinda Levy, signed on behalf of her country.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Livingstone yesterday, Mr Lungu said the two MoUs will provide the two countries with an operational platform to begin the transfer of prisoners who wish to serve their sentences in their home country, where they can easily be visited by their families and friends.

Mr Lungu said the approach is aimed at promoting family re-union, enhanced rehabilitation and prisoner’s integration into society.

“This ceremony is a sign that we are heading in the right direction, as we endeavor to redress the problems of rehabilitation, re-integration and overcrowding in our penal institutions.

“Such efforts will enable our governments to meet the international minimum standard rules on the treatment of offenders and other international treaties on the rights of inmates,” Mr Lungu said.

And Ms Benvinda Levy paid gratitude to Zambian people for helping that country to gain its independence in the 1970s.

She said Zambia played a pivotal role in the independence struggle of her country.

“We want to thank you for your continued friendship, which goes beyond the independence struggle. It is for this reason today we are signing the two MoUs,” she said.

Commissioner of Zambia Prisons Service Percy Chato said the two agreements were developed taking into consideration special interests that affect the smooth operations and collaborations of the two sister prison services of the two countries.

Mr Chato said the Zambia prisons service is looking forward to sharing strategy for ensuring that people live with a chain of possibilities.

[Zambia Daily Mail]