In a surprising move, President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe has issued pardons to female and juvenile convicts, as announced in an order on Tuesday. The reasons behind this decision have not been explicitly stated.
The presidential pardon encompasses all female inmates, with the exception of those convicted of murder, treason, rape, robbery, carjacking, public violence, and human trafficking. For juvenile inmates to be eligible for release, they must have served a minimum of one third of their sentence, as outlined in the order.
The exact number of convicts who will benefit from this pardon remains uncertain at this time. However, it is understood that minor offenders, who have been convicted for less than 48 months and have served one third of their sentence, will also be included among the beneficiaries. Additionally, the order extends to terminally ill inmates and elderly prisoners who are over 60 years old and have served a tenth of their sentence.
Presidential clemency orders are traditionally issued annually prior to the country's Independence Day celebrations, commemorating Zimbabwe's liberation from British colonial rule in April 1980. However, last year's order drew criticism from human rights groups due to the release of numerous prisoners, including those convicted of rape.
While the motives behind President Mnangagwa's recent pardons remain undisclosed, the decision underscores the exercise of executive clemency for certain categories of offenders. As a result of this action, a significant number of female and juvenile convicts, as well as other eligible inmates, will be granted the opportunity for early release and reintroduction into society.
