Organisation appeals to families on behalf of Presidential Amnesty prisoners

THE founder of “Jesus Behind Bars”, an organisation that assists in the rehabilitation of inmates, Mr Dumisani Nkomo, has appealed to families and communities to welcome back and support prison inmates, who will be released under the Presidential Amnesty.

Following the recent gazetting of the Presidential Clemency Order No. 1 of 2026, thousands of convicts will this week be freed to go back to their homes.

The amnesty covers inmates who would have served at least a third of their sentences, including all females and juveniles, except those convicted of specified offences.

Mr Nkomo, himself a beneficiary of a similar Presidential Amnesty after serving a combined 14 years in jail for armed robbery, theft and stealing from cars, says his life was transformed while serving the sentence.

“We thank President Mnangagwa for granting this amnesty to inmates countrywide. I appeal to the society to welcome the inmates with both hands,” he said.

“Some of them have spent a number of years in prison and are not aware of what is happening in society. Let’s accommodate them because if we don’t, they may commit a crime and return.”

Mr Nkomo said a hostile environment was not good for the freed inmates, who need to be carefully assisted to start a new life using skills they have gained while in prison.
He also appealed to companies to open their doors and employ those who qualify.

“They need a starting point and companies can hire them because they are ready to work. They were not idle in prisons as they were taught several skills,” said Mr Nkomo.

“Let’s allow them to practice what they learnt as a way of making sure they don’t re-offend.
“If they are not accepted and don’t get accommodation and food, they may think it’s better to return to prison by re-offending.”

Mr Nkomo said everyone must play a part in helping with the rehabilitation of inmates and assisting those released.

He also appealed to the Government to provide them with loans, to enable them to engage in entrepreneurial projects.

“We need loans and income-generating projects for them. I wish the Government could look into this issue. Most of them would have repented and are ready to start a new life away from crime. I urge those released to stay away from crime,” he said.

Inmates convicted of specified offences such as murder, treason, rape or any sexual offence, carjacking, robbery, armed robbery, public violence, trafficking in persons and unlawful possession of a firearm do not qualify for the clemency.

The Clemency Order grants freedom to inmates serving an effective period of 48 months or less who have served at least one-third of their sentence as at the date of gazetting the order, provided they are not convicted of specified offences.

Inmates certified terminally ill by a Correctional Medical Officer or a Government Medical Officer (GMO) will also be released, excluding those convicted of specified offences.

All inmates serving at open prisons and those aged above 60 years will be freed under the amnesty unless convicted of specified crimes.

Inmates who have served at least 20 years of a life sentence, including those whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment, will also benefit.

The 20-year period includes time served under a sentence of death and cases where sentences were altered to life imprisonment on appeal or review.

Freedom has also been granted to inmates certified by a Correctional Medical Officer or Government Medical Officer as visually impaired or physically challenged to the extent that they cannot be catered for in a correctional facility, provided they have served one-third of their sentence at the date of gazetting the Clemency Order.

Prisoners previously released on amnesty, those serving sentences imposed by a Court Martial and inmates with a record of escaping from lawful custody will not benefit.

Those serving sentences for contravening the Electricity Act, the Postal and Telecommunications Act, the Public Order and Security Act or the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act will not benefit from the amnesty.

Inmates convicted under the Railways Act, the Copper Control Act and any conspiracy, incitement or attempt to commit the above-mentioned offences are also excluded from the amnesty.–@themkhust