Story by Peter Chivhima
ZIMBABWE has gazetted the Presidential Clemency Order No. 1 of 2026, setting in motion processes for the release of eligible inmates by the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS).
The Order provides for remission of sentences across several categories of prisoners, while excluding those convicted of specified serious offences.
According to the Government Gazette, all convicted female inmates who have served at least one-third of their sentences qualify for full remission, except those convicted of excluded offences.
Juvenile offenders under the age of 18 who have completed one-third of their sentences will also receive full remission, subject to the same exclusions.
Inmates serving sentences of 48 months or less, who have served at least one-third of their terms, are eligible for full remission. Terminally ill inmates certified by a Correctional or Government Medical Officer qualify for immediate release to allow continuity of medical care.
The Order also extends to prisoners housed in Open Prisons, inmates aged 60 years and above who have served at least one-third of their sentences, and certain inmates living with severe disabilities certified by a medical practitioner.
Those serving life imprisonment will qualify for release after completing at least 20 years, including any period previously served under a death sentence where applicable.
In addition, inmates serving sentences exceeding 48 months may receive an additional one-quarter remission, provided they are not convicted of offences listed under the exclusion clause.
However, the clemency does not apply to inmates previously released under amnesty, those serving sentences imposed by a Court Martial, escapees from lawful custody, or individuals convicted of serious crimes such as murder, treason, rape, armed robbery, trafficking in persons and unlawful possession of firearms.
Authorities say qualifying inmates will be released once administrative verification processes have been completed by the ZPCS.
The clemency order is seen as part of efforts to balance justice with compassion, while reinforcing Zimbabwe’s commitment to constitutional rights and international human rights obligations.
