Zimbabwe's Independence Day Amnesty Frees Prisoners, Including Those Sentenced to Death
- Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa granted amnesty to over 4,000 prisoners, some of whom were on death row
- This initiative coincided with Zimbabwe's celebration of 44 years of independence from white minority rule
- There were celebrations as hundreds of former inmates walked out of Chikurubi Prison on the outskirts of Harare
Trisha Pillay is a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Johannesburg. Beginning her 13-year-long career at eNCA, she honed her reporting skills and coverage of crime and court cases, which she further developed at The Citizen newspaper, African News Network and Newzroom Afrika. Do you have a hard news story you would like to share? Email: trisha.pillay@briefly.co.za with CA in the subject line.
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ZIMBABWE - Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa granted leniency to over 4,000 prisoners as part of an Independence Day amnesty.
4000 prisoners freed
According to eNCA, the initiative coincided with Zimbabwe's celebration of 44 years of independence from white minority rule, culminating in 1980 after a turbulent bush war and the country's transition from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe.
The presidential amnesty, the second in less than a year, benefits female, older, and juvenile inmates, the terminally ill, and some who were originally sentenced to death.
Prisoners criteria
Individuals who were previously on death row and had their sentences reduced to life terms in prior acts of leniency or via legal appeals will be released if they have served a minimum of 20 years in prison.
All female prisoners who had served at least a third of their sentence by Independence Day are being freed, as are juvenile inmates who have served the same period.
Despite having a maximum capacity of 17,000, Zimbabwe's prisons were housing many more inmates than that.
Netizens weigh in
Some have praised the government for its work, while others were stunned by the state's move.
Here are some of the reactions:
@Matamela Sendedza commented:
"A very good move by the President."
@Andy Makufa shared:
"They is no food to feed the inmates, so to reduce the burden on the government is to release them."
@Andani Ligege said:
"Many will seek better lives and will come to South Africa."
@SamuekLights explained:
"This is a good move from Zimbabwe."
@ShameluModise commented:
"Wish them all the best."
Emmerson Mnangagwa declares Zimbabwe drought a national disaster
In a similar story, Briefly News reported that Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the country's drought a national disaster.
He further revealed that the country needed over R37 billion in aid to feed the citizens who were starving.
South Africans grilled him, and many called for him to step down from the position.
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Source: Briefly News
