Zim grants clemency to prisoners, excludes serious offenders

Peter Moyo

President Emmerson Mnangagwa this week, announced the release of specific groups of prisoners in a new amnesty program. This marks the second such program in a year, aiming to reduce overcrowding in Zimbabwe’s correctional facilities.

The Clemency Order, published on April 18th, 2024, outlines the criteria for release. Women, juvenile inmates, and prisoners with disabilities are among those who may benefit. Additionally, inmates sentenced to four years or less who have served a third of their sentence by a specific date qualify, provided they haven’t committed serious crimes.

“Specified offences” excluded from the amnesty include murder, rape, robbery, and other violent crimes. Prisoners convicted of these offenses, along with those previously released on amnesty, escapees, and those sentenced by military courts, will not be considered.

This follows a similar amnesty in 2023 that freed over 4,000 inmates, although it faced criticism for including some convicted of sexual offenses such as Bobby Makaza.