Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu
A TOTAL of 260 prisoners have been released from prisons in Matabeleland South Province under the Presidential Amnesty.
Speaking on Monday during the release of prisoners from Gwanda Prison Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Matabeleland South Commissioner Cleopas Mzila Moyo said of the pardoned prisoners 256 are men and four are women.
“As Matabeleland South Province we have a total of 260 inmates that are benefitting from the Presidential pardon. Out of the 260, four are females and 256 are males. Beitbridge Prison has 84 pardoned inmates, Gwanda Prison including its satellites which are Filbusi, Esigodini, Kezi and Gwanda Farm Prison has 132 while Plumtree Prison has 44 inmates that are benefiting. This amnesty will help us in decongesting our prisons as we have been facing a serious challenge of overcrowding across the whole province,” he said
President Mnangagwa has granted 4 305 prisoners amnesty as part of efforts to promote restorative justice and decongest the country’s correctional facilities. He proclaimed Clemency Order No.1 of 2026 after exercising his Executive Prerogative of Mercy in terms of Section 112 (1)(a) and (d) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
Announcing the development, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said the clemency showed the Government’s commitment to compassion, rehabilitation and correctional reforms.
Minister Ziyambi said the amnesty is targeted and merit-based, focusing on vulnerable groups and inmates who have shown significant progress in rehabilitation.
Most beneficiaries are required to have served at least one-third of their sentences by the date of gazetting.
Those qualifying for full remission include convicted female inmates, excluding those convicted of specified offences; inmates under 18 years; inmates serving effective sentences of 48 months or less for non-specified offences; inmates aged 60 and above who have served at least one-third of their terms; and inmates certified as terminally ill.
The clemency also covers visually impaired and physically challenged inmates whose conditions cannot be adequately managed within correctional facilities, inmates at open prisons, and those who have served a minimum of 20 years, including prisoners whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
However, offenders convicted of serious crimes such as murder, treason, rape, robbery, armed robbery, carjacking, public violence and trafficking are excluded.
