All inmates serving at open prisons and those aged above 60 years will be freed under the amnesty unless convicted of specified crimes.
Freedom has also been granted to inmates certified by a Correctional Medical Officer or Government Medical Officer as visually impaired or physically challenged to the extent that they cannot be catered for in a correctional facility, provided they have served one-third of their sentence at the date of gazetting the Clemency Order.
Prisoners previously released on amnesty, those serving sentences imposed by a Court Martial and inmates with a record of escaping from lawful custody will not benefit.
This comes after Government gazetted Clemency Order No. 1 of 2026, paving the way for the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service to start working on modalities that will see thousands of convicts being freed from the country’s prisons.
The amnesty will see the release of convicted inmates who would have served at least a third of their sentences, including all females and juveniles, except those convicted of specified offences.
President Mnangagwa proclaimed the amnesty in terms of Section 112(1)(a) and (d) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which will grant full remission to all female and juvenile inmates who qualify under the order.
Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Vimbai Nyemba, announced the Clemency Order in the Government Gazette published on February 20, 2026.
Inmates convicted of specified offences including murder, treason, rape or any sexual offence, carjacking, robbery, armed robbery, public violence, trafficking in persons and unlawful possession of a firearm do not qualify for the clemency.
“A full remission of the remaining period of imprisonment is hereby granted to all convicted female inmates, save for those convicted of specified offences.
“The inmate should have served at least one third (1/3) of the sentence on the date of gazetting the Clemency Order.
“Full remission of the remaining period of imprisonment for all child offenders, that is, those under the age of eighteen (18) years.
“The inmate should have served at least one third (1/3) of the sentence on the date of gazetting the Clemency Order,” he said.
According to the Government Gazette, age determination will be based on the birth certificate or dental age estimation of the concerned inmate.
The Clemency Order grants freedom to inmates serving an effective period of 48 months or less who have served at least one-third of their sentence as at the date of gazetting the order, provided they are not convicted of specified offences.
Inmates certified terminally ill by a Correctional Medical Officer or a Government Medical Officer (GMO) will also be released, excluding those convicted of specified offences.
“The Department of Correctional Services should liaise with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, so that there is continuity of treatment after release,” read the gazette.
“Full remission of the remaining period of imprisonment for all prisoners aged sixty (60) years and above, and who would have served at least one third (1/3) of their sentence at the date of gazetting the Clemency Order, provided they are not convicted of specified offences.”
The 20-year period includes time served under a sentence of death and cases where sentences were altered to life imprisonment on appeal or review.
Those serving sentences for contravening the Electricity Act, the Postal and Telecommunications Act, the Public Order and Security Act or the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act will not benefit from the amnesty.
Inmates convicted under the Railways Act, the Copper Control Act and any conspiracy, incitement or attempt to commit the above-mentioned offences are also excluded from the amnesty
