Zimbabwe on Monday started releasing nearly 4,000 prisoners granted presidential amnesty, a move the government says is aimed at easing chronic overcrowding in the country’s correctional facilities. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi announced in Harare that 3,978 beneficiaries would begin leaving prison immediately, with a total of 4,305 inmates, including 223 women set to be freed in phases. The decision was first approved by Cabinet in February. According to the latest national data, Zimbabwe’s prisons held just over 24,000 inmates in the second quarter of 2025, significantly above their intended capacity. Authorities say the amnesty targets non-violent offenders, vulnerable prisoners and those who have shown clear signs of rehabilitation.
Those convicted of serious crimes such as murder, armed robbery and rape are excluded. The amnesty also does not apply to individuals convicted under the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act, a law critics say has previously been used against protesters and opposition activists. Among those released was 23-year-old Tendai Chitsika, who had been serving a six-month sentence for theft and had two months remaining. Speaking at Harare Central Prison, he described his incarceration as “a learning curve” and pledged to rebuild his life.
Scenes at the prison highlighted mixed emotions: inmates still in orange uniforms waited behind, while those cleared for release changed into civilian clothes and prepared to reunite with families. Some chanted slogans praising 83-year-old President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The amnesty comes at a politically sensitive time. The Cabinet announced it on the same day it approved proposed constitutional amendments that could reshape Zimbabwe’s political landscape. The reforms which still require parliamentary approval, where the ruling ZANU-PF holds a majority, include extending the presidential term from five to seven years and allowing Parliament to select a president under certain circumstances, potentially removing the need for general presidential elections. Opposition figures have condemned the proposed changes as an attempt to consolidate power, while the government argues they are necessary for stability and continuity. Officials say the prison releases reflect a commitment to restorative justice and humane corrections policy. However, critics contend that the timing alongside sweeping constitutional reforms has intensified political tensions in the southern African nation.
