Zimbabwe frees nearly 4,000 inmates under presidential amnesty

Zimbabwe Initiates Presidential Amnesty to Address Prison Overcrowding

On Mon, Feb 2025, Zimbabwe commenced the release of approximately 4,000 inmates as part of a presidential amnesty initiative aimed at alleviating prison congestion. The announcement was made by the cabinet alongside constitutional amendments intended to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term until 2030.

Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi confirmed the beginning of the release process at a press conference in Harare. As of the second quarter of 2025, Zimbabwe's prisons housed over 24,000 inmates according to national statistics. The amnesty will ultimately result in the release of 4,305 prisoners, including 223 women, with a focus on vulnerable individuals and those showing significant rehabilitation progress.

Exclusions from the amnesty include individuals convicted of serious crimes such as murder, robbery, rape, or violations of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act.

The constitutional amendments, which are pending parliamentary approval, propose extending the presidential term to seven years and eliminating general presidential elections by granting parliament the authority to elect the president. These changes have resulted in political unrest, with opposition parties labeling the amendments as a "constitutional coup."

Based on reporting by Africanews.