Nyore Madzianike
Senior Reporter
All female inmates in Zimbabwe’s prisons who have served at least one-third of their sentences — excluding those convicted of specified serious offences — are set to be released under a newly gazetted Presidential Clemency Order directing the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service to begin facilitating the process.
Under Clemency Order No. 1 of 2026, President Mnangagwa has granted full remission of the remaining sentences of all qualifying female and juvenile offenders, directing the ZPCS to begin implementing modalities for their release.
The clemency, issued in terms of Section 112(1)(a) and (d) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, was announced by Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Mrs Vimbai Nyemba in the Government Gazette published on Friday.
“A full remission of the remaining period of imprisonment is hereby granted to all convicted female inmates, save for those convicted of specified offences,” reads part of the order.
The order states that beneficiaries must have served at least one-third of their sentence as at the date of gazetting.
Juvenile offenders — defined as inmates under the age of 18 — will also receive full remission of their remaining sentences, provided they have served at least one-third of their custodial term and are not convicted of specified crimes.
Age determination will be based on birth certificates or dental age estimation.
Specified offences excluded from the amnesty include murder, treason, rape and other sexual offences, armed robbery, carjacking, public violence, trafficking in persons and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The clemency also extends to several other categories of prisoners.
Inmates serving effective sentences of 48 months and below who have completed at least one-third of their sentence will be released, provided they were not convicted of specified offences.
Terminally ill inmates certified by a Correctional Medical Officer or Government Medical Officer will also be freed, excluding those convicted of specified crimes.
The Government Gazette directs correctional authorities to liaise with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to ensure continuity of medical care after release.
Prisoners aged 60 years and above who have served at least one-third of their sentence will also benefit from full remission, unless convicted of specified offences.
Similarly, inmates held in open prisons qualify under the amnesty.
The order further grants remission to inmates who have served at least 20 years of a life sentence, including those whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
The 20-year period includes time previously served under a death sentence before commutation or alteration on appeal.
Visually impaired or physically challenged inmates who cannot be adequately catered for in correctional facilities will also be considered for release if they have served at least one-third of their sentence and were not convicted of specified offences.
However, certain categories of inmates are excluded from the clemency. These include prisoners previously released on amnesty, those serving sentences imposed by a Court Martial, and inmates with a record of escaping from lawful custody.
Offenders convicted under statutes such as the Electricity Act, Postal and Telecommunications Act, Public Order and Security Act, Maintenance of Peace and Order Act, Railways Act and Copper Control Act are also excluded, along with those convicted of conspiracy, incitement or attempt to commit the listed specified offences.
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service is expected to begin processing eligible inmates in line with the provisions of the Clemency Order.
Blessings Chidakwa-Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE has made significant progress in addressing violence against women and girls through robust policy and legislative reforms that are crucial for advancing gender equality and protecting human rights across the nation.
At the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) meeting, Permanent Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Mrs Vimbai Nyemba reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of women and girls.
The ACHPR is holding its 83rd Ordinary Session, which runs from May 2 to 22, in Kololi, the Gambia.
This session is themed, “Human Rights as an imperative for people-centred sustainable development in Africa,” highlighting the critical intersection of human rights and development.
Mrs Nyemba said Zimbabwe has implemented significant reforms to combat violence against women and girls through various policy and legislative reviews aimed specifically at protection and empowerment.
“These legal reforms are not just words on paper. They are driving real change on the ground through transformative programmes,” she said.
The remarks underscore the tangible impact of the reforms on the lives of women and girls in Zimbabwe.
Mrs Nyemba also highlighted that these interventions are part of a broader agenda to eradicate systemic abuse and gender-based violence in all its forms, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to tackling these pressing issues.
Several key frameworks introduced by the Government include the Sexual Harassment Policy, which specifically targets abuse within the public service, the Protocol on the Multi-Sectoral Management of Sexual Abuse and Violence, which is aimed at providing structured nationwide responses to gendered violence, and the National Strategy on Preventing and Addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV), designed to offer comprehensive strategies for tackling GBV effectively.
On the legal front, Mrs Nyemba pointed out the Domestic Violence Act, which criminalises various forms of GBV, and the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Amendment Act, which aligns the age of sexual consent with the constitutional age of majority at 18 years.
Additionally, the introduction of One-Stop Centres has been noted as a significant step toward providing integrated support for survivors.
This session brings together ACHPR Commissioners, representatives from AU Member States, civil society organisations, national human rights institutions, and other stakeholders to address pressing human rights issues across the continent.
The forum emphasises integrating human rights principles into sustainable development strategies, aligning with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and fostering a people-centred approach to development that ensures human rights remain central to Africa’s growth and progress.
dyton mupawaenda
Online Reporter