Zambian President Michael Sata has pardoned 500 prisoners as part of the African country's 49th independence anniversary commemoration, a media report here said Friday.
The prisoners, who were serving sentences for various offences, have been released from prison according to a remission of sentences order issued by the head of the public service, Ronald Msiska, Xinhua reported.
The prisoners have been released from all the country's 10 provinces. The Zambian leader ordered that they be released forthwith.
On Thursday, Zambia commemorated 49 years of independence from Britain and various activities were conducted.
This year's independence commemoration was held under the theme of Commemorating God's Favour of Zambia's 50 years of Independence for continued peace, unity, democracy, patriotism and prosperity.