Harare, Zimbabwe – (African Boulevard News) – The Zimbabwean government has granted clemency to over 4,000 prisoners in a large presidential amnesty on Thursday, May 18. Nearly a fifth of all prisoners in the country are expected to be released. This move came amid growing concerns over prison overcrowding and the spread of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe’s correctional facilities.
The beneficiaries of this amnesty include those who were convicted of minor offenses such as theft, public order crimes, and those already serving an extra-judicial sentence. However, none of those convicted of serious crimes such as murder, rape, and treason were included in this amnesty.
The Zimbabwean authorities have been facing pressure from human rights groups to release prisoners due to the country’s prison conditions. According to the Prison Fellowship Zimbabwe, the country’s prisons have a capacity of around 17,000 inmates but are now holding more than 22,000 inmates.
This presidential amnesty is the third of its kind since President Emmerson Mnangagwa took power in 2017. The amnesty was granted as part of the country’s efforts to decongest prisons and curb the spread of COVID-19 among inmates.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Prison and Correction Services (ZPCS) announced that they have already started releasing prisoners. They also revealed that all those who are eligible for release under this amnesty will be released by the end of the week.
The move sparked mixed reactions from the public, with some applauding the president’s efforts towards decongesting the prisons, while others argued that the amnesty should have included more serious crimes.
According to Zimbabwe’s Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi, the amnesty is a significant milestone towards reforming the country’s justice system. “The government’s move is meant to promote rehabilitation and re-integration of released prisoners into society and also promote their rights,” he said.
In conclusion, Zimbabwe’s presidential amnesty, which has seen the release of over 4,000 prisoners, including those convicted of minor crimes, is expected to ease the pressure on the country’s overcrowded prisons. While some have welcomed the move, concerns have been raised about its effectiveness in curbing the spread of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe’s correctional facilities.
