Zimbabwe frees all female prisoners who served a third of their terms

All female inmates in Zimbabwe's prisons who have served at least one-third of their custodial sentences - excluding those convicted of specified serious offences - are set to be released under a newly gazetted Presidential Clemency Order.

Under Clemency Order No. 1 of 2026, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has granted a full remission of the remaining sentences of qualifying female and juvenile offenders and directed the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) to begin implementing modalities for their release.

The clemency, issued in terms of Section 112(1)(a) and (d) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, was announced by Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Mrs Vimbai Nyemba in the Government Gazette published on Friday.

"A full remission of the remaining period of imprisonment is hereby granted to all convicted female inmates, save for those convicted of specified offences," reads part of the order.

According to the proclamation, beneficiaries must have served at least one-third of their sentence as at the date of gazetting.

Juvenile offenders - defined as inmates under the age of 18 - will also receive full remission of their remaining sentences, provided they have served at least one-third of their custodial term and are not convicted of specified crimes. Age determination will be based on birth certificates or dental age estimation.

Specified offences excluded from the amnesty include murder, treason, rape and other sexual offences, armed robbery, carjacking, public violence, trafficking in persons and unlawful possession of a firearm.

The clemency further extends to several other categories of prisoners.

Inmates serving effective sentences of 48 months and below who have completed at least one-third of their sentence will be released, provided they were not convicted of specified offences.

Terminally ill inmates certified by a Correctional Medical Officer or Government Medical Officer will also be freed, excluding those convicted of specified crimes. The Government Gazette directs correctional authorities to liaise with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to ensure continuity of medical care after release.

Prisoners aged 60 years and above who have served at least one-third of their sentence will also benefit from full remission, unless convicted of specified offences. Similarly, inmates held in open prisons qualify under the amnesty.

The order further grants remission to inmates who have served at least 20 years of a life sentence, including those whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment. The 20-year period includes time previously served under a death sentence before commutation or alteration on appeal.

Visually impaired or physically challenged inmates who cannot be adequately catered for in correctional facilities will also be considered for release if they have served at least one-third of their sentence and were not convicted of specified offences.

However, certain categories of inmates are excluded from the clemency. These include prisoners previously released on amnesty, those serving sentences imposed by a Court Martial, and inmates with a record of escaping from lawful custody.

Offenders convicted under statutes such as the Electricity Act, Postal and Telecommunications Act, Public Order and Security Act, Maintenance of Peace and Order Act, Railways Act and Copper Control Act are also excluded, along with those convicted of conspiracy, incitement or attempt to commit the listed specified offences.

The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service is expected to begin processing eligible inmates in line with the provisions of the Clemency Order.