Zimbabwean authorities commenced the release of close to 4,000 prisoners on Monday following a presidential amnesty aimed at alleviating severe overcrowding in the country’s correctional facilities.
The mass release, which was approved by the cabinet in February, coincides with recent constitutional amendments that effectively extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term in office until 2030.
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi confirmed the rollout of the clemency order during a press briefing in the capital. “The nation should note that the release of the 3,978 beneficiaries begins today,” Ziyambi stated.
According to national data from the second quarter of 2025, Zimbabwe’s prisons are currently holding more than 24,000 inmates—significantly exceeding intended capacity. The minister indicated that a total of 4,305 individuals, including 223 women, are slated for eventual release, with the program specifically “focusing on vulnerable groups and those who have demonstrated significant progress in their rehabilitation.”
At Harare Central Prison, the scene was one of contrasting fates. Hundreds of inmates were separated into two groups in the yard: those still in orange prison uniforms who were required to remain incarcerated, and men who had changed into civilian clothes, waiting to be processed for their return home.
Among those granted freedom was 23-year-old Tendai Chitsika, who had been serving a six-month sentence for theft and was just two months shy of completion. Speaking to AFP, Chitsika expressed gratitude, stating, “It was a learning curve for me. I’m a changed person and I promise to do good out there. I want to thank the president for this opportunity.”
Minister Ziyambi characterized the amnesty as a reflection of “a profound commitment to restorative justice, national compassion and the strategic decongestion of correctional facilities.”
However, the pardon is not universal. Offenders convicted of serious crimes including murder, robbery, rape, and violations of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act remain excluded from the clemency order.
AFP