HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa granted clemency to more than 4,000 prisoners, including some who were on death row, in an independence day amnesty on Thursday. Zimbabwe marked 44 years of independence from white minority rule, which ended in 1980 after a bloody bush war. The country’s name was changed from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe. The presidential amnesty, the second in less than a year, benefits female, older and juvenile inmates, the terminally ill and some who were originally sentenced to death. Those once on death row but who had their sentences commuted to life terms in previous clemency orders or through court appeals are to be freed provided they have been in prison for at least 20 years, according to the clemency order, which was announced Wednesday and due to take effect on Thursday. All female prisoners who had served at least a third of their sentence by independence day are being freed, as are juvenile inmates who have served the same period. |
Joe Lycett reveals he has a new girlfriend on Channel 4 show as comedian talks about his sexualityGoalie error costs relegation battler Burnley a draw with Brighton in EPLFormer president of Bank of China expelled from CPCGoalie error costs relegation battler Burnley a draw with Brighton in EPLKatie Price reveals moment doctor told her Harvey was blind and then left her in 'limbo'Biden will meet with his national security team as fears rise of an Iranian strike against Israel13th National Women's Congress opens in BeijingVice premier stresses importance of data quality in national economic censusFemale lawmakers, political advisors shine at China's ongoing two sessionsXi stresses development of new productive forces, high