Zimbabwe Announces General Amnesty 2026 For Release Of Prisoners: Here Is Who Will Benefit & Who Is Excluded

Zimbabwe Prison Amnesty 2026: Full List Of Who Qualifies For Release

In a sweeping move set to decongest the nation’s prisons, the Zimbabwean government has announced a major general amnesty for inmates. The announcement, made by Permanent Secretary for Information, Nick Mangwana, on the 10th of February 2026, outlines exactly which prisoners will walk free and who must remain behind bars. This amnesty, exercised under the Presidential power of mercy, promises freedom for thousands but comes with a long list of serious exclusions.

Who Gets To Go Home?

According to Nick Mangwana, the amnesty covers a wide range of specific prisoner categories. The government has cast a wide net for those eligible for release. The beneficiaries are clearly itemised as follows:

All convicted female prisoners: Every woman currently serving a sentence in Zimbabwean prisons.
Juveniles: All prisoners who are under the age of 18.
Prisoners serving 48 months or less: Any inmate whose remaining effective sentence is four years or below.
Terminally ill inmates: Prisoners who have been medically certified as having a terminal illness.
Prisoners at Open Prison: All inmates currently held within the open prison system.
Prisoners aged 60 and above: Every inmate who has reached the age of sixty.
Life sentence prisoners who served 20 years: Those sentenced to life imprisonment become eligible once they have served at least two decades.
Prisoners with disabilities: Inmates with recognised physical or mental disabilities.
Additional remission for longer sentences: Prisoners serving more than 48 months will receive an extra one-quarter (25%) remission of their effective remaining sentence, on top of this amnesty.

He stated the policy clearly:

“The following categories of prisoners will benefit under the 2026 General Amnesty; all convicted female prisoners; juveniles; prisoners serving an effective period of 48 months and below; inmates certified terminally ill; for prisoners at Open Prison; for all prisoners aged 60; prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment provided they have served 20 years; prisoners with disabilities; and an additional one quarter remission of the effective term of imprisonment to those prisoners who were sentenced to more than 48 months.”

Zimbabwe Prison Amnesty 2026: Full List Of Who Qualifies For Release — (Image Credit: NewZimbabwe.com)

The Crimes That Keep You Locked Up

However, the amnesty has strict boundaries. In a follow-up post detailing exemptions, Mangwana listed a comprehensive set of crimes that disqualify an inmate entirely. The exclusions aim to keep those convicted of violent, sexual, or national security offences in prison. The following prisoners are excluded:

Anyone previously released on a past amnesty.
Any person sentenced by a Court Martial.
Any person with a record of escaping from lawful custody.
Any inmate convicted of a specified serious offence.

The Permanent Secretary was clear on the exemptions, writing:

“The General Amnesty will exclude any prisoner who was previously released on amnesty; any person imposed sentence by a Court Martial; any person with a record of escaping from lawful custody; and any inmate convicted of any specified offence.”

He then listed the specified offences, which include a stringent list:

Murder
Treason
Rape or sexual offences
Carjacking
Robbery
Armed robbery
Public violence
Human trafficking
Unlawful possession of a firearm
Contravention of the Electricity Act
Contravention of the Postal and Telecommunications Act
Public Order and Security Offences
Railway Offences
Copper Offences

Notably, crimes like vandalism of electricity infrastructure, captured under the Electricity Act, and theft of copper cabling are treated with the same seriousness as violent crimes for the purpose of this amnesty.

A Focus On Infrastructure And Security

The inclusion of offences against the Electricity Act, Postal and Telecommunications Act, and specific “Railway” and “Copper” offences highlights a particular government priority. This amnesty explicitly does not extend to those convicted of damaging or stealing state-owned economic infrastructure.

The announcement, made via social media, has sparked widespread discussion. With the posts garnering thousands of views within hours, the public is now keenly awaiting the implementation of the amnesty and the subsequent release of eligible inmates across the country’s correctional facilities.