Zimbabwe has begun releasing more than 4,000 inmates under a presidential amnesty in a bid to ease persistent prison overcrowding and support rehabilitation efforts, state and international media report.

The clemency initiative, authorised by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, was announced by the Cabinet in February 2026 and launched on Monday March 2, 2026, when correctional services began processing eligible inmates for release across the country.

According to Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, the release programme focuses on vulnerable groups those who have shown significant rehabilitation progress and inmates serving shorter sentences, excluding people convicted of serious crimes such as murder robbery and rape.

Of the total, 4,305 prisoners have been identified as beneficiaries, including 223 women, with the majority being freed immediately and others scheduled for phased release after verification procedures are completed.

The move forms part of a broader strategy to reduce congestion in Zimbabwe’s correctional facilities and offer reformed offenders a second chance as part of restorative justice policies. At Harare Central Prison and other facilities inmates waited to be processed into civilian clothes before returning home following release orders.

Officials said the amnesty reflects a national commitment to compassion and justice reform, while avoiding granting clemency to individuals convicted of the most serious offences. Observers say the initiative could also help the state manage its penal system more effectively amid broader discussions about justice and governance.