President Robert Mugabe has granted amnesty to 1500 prisoners, more than 10 percent of Zimbabwe’s prison population as the country struggles to feed, provide clothing and toiletries for the prisoners. The pardoned prisoners are mainly women and juveniles, and also people with terminal illnesses.
“The Zimbabwe Prison Service has faced challenges in… provision of prisoners’ rations, clothing and bedding, toiletries and transport among others,”
Permanent Secretary in the Justice Ministry David Mangota told the official New Ziana news agency.
“As a short-term relief option… a proposal to have a general amnesty was granted to inmates,” he added.
However people convicted of offences such as murder, rape and conspiracy against the government will not qualify for amnesty, said Mangota.
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