Cops to keep hawk’s eye on pardoned criminals

Leonard Ncube Senior Reporter
POLICE yesterday warned released prisoners who benefited from the Presidential pardon to stay away from crime and thrive to integrate well in society. President Mugabe extended the presidential pardon to more than 2,000 inmates on February12 this year in terms of Section 112 (1) (a) and (d) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba yesterday said police will be monitoring the ex-prisoners.
“Police would like to applaud President Mugabe for the recent amnesty. We are however, appealing to those granted this freedom to go back into society and lead a crime free life,” she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba added: “The freedom they have been granted is not a licence to commit crime but to repent and engage in meaningful economic activities as law abiding citizens.”

Police said any repeat offenders will be arrested.
“The police will be monitoring those released and anyone with a propensity to engage in any criminal conduct will be dealt with in terms of the law,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

She also appealed to the offended not to take the law into their own hands by trying to revenge as some might not have forgiven the ‘criminals.’
The police also urged the public to welcome back the former inmates into society.