Tinotenda Hove – The Government of Zimbabwe has announced that President Emmerson Mnangagwa has approved a General Amnesty for various categories of prisoners under the 2026 clemency order, a move that will see thousands of inmates benefiting from early release and sentence reductions.

The announcement was made in a statement released on Tuesday by Government Spokesperson Nick Mangwana, who confirmed that the President had exercised his constitutional powers of mercy.

“The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, has in terms of Section 112(1)(a) of the Constitution, granted a General Amnesty to specified categories of prisoners,” Mangwana said.

Under the approved criteria, the amnesty applies to a wide range of inmates, with all convicted female prisoners set to be released. The clemency order also covers juveniles, prisoners serving sentences of 48 months and below, and inmates who have been certified as terminally ill.

In addition, the amnesty extends to prisoners currently held at Open Prisons, all inmates aged 60 years and above, as well as prisoners living with disabilities. Life sentence prisoners who have served at least 20 years behind bars are also included among the beneficiaries.

Mangwana said the move reflects government’s commitment to humane justice and rehabilitation. “The clemency order is in line with the spirit of reconciliation, mercy and the promotion of rehabilitation within the correctional services system,” he said.

Beyond the immediate release categories, the President also approved sentence remissions for longer-serving inmates. Prisoners who were sentenced to more than 48 months will receive a one-quarter remission of the effective term of their imprisonment.

Authorities are expected to begin implementing the clemency order immediately, with relevant institutions working to ensure the orderly release and reintegration of qualifying prisoners back into society.