President Peter Mutharika has pardoned 134 prisoners as part of celebrating the country’s 62nd Independence Anniversary which falls on July 6.
Ministry of Homeland Security Principal Secretary Linda Pacharo Moyo said the President has granted the pardons under Section 89(2) of the Constitution as an act of mercy during the Independence Day holiday.
She said the beneficiaries include convicted inmates who have served at least half of their custodial sentences, the elderly, women accompanied by infants and the chronically ill.
Moyo added that the pardoned inmates met the requirements under the Guidelines for the Granting of Pardon to Convicted Prisoners and had demonstrated good behavioural reform while serving their sentences.
Mutharika. | Nation
“The pardon of the 134 convicted prisoners by His Excellency the State President is an act of mercy during this Independence Day holiday,” she said in the statement.
Yesterday’s pardon comes at a time Malawi’s prisons continue to grapple with congestion, with human rights organisations calling on government to adopt measures aimed at reducing overcrowding while balancing public safety and the interests of justice.
Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance executive director Victor Chagunyuka Mhango, whose organisation lobbies for the rights of inmates, welcomed the President’s decision, but said the number of inmates pardoned was on the lower side to significantly ease prison congestion.
“We appreciate the decision to pardon but the number is too small to make a meaningful difference. Our prisons are holding more people and remain heavily congested. There is need to release more deserving inmates while ensuring public safety is protected,” he said.
Mhango also expressed frustration that inmates who recently secured places in public universities were not among those granted the presidential pardon.
There are eight inmates from various correctional facilities selected to pursue higher education at public universities. Three each have been admitted to Mzuzu University and the University of Malawi with Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) and Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences having one each.
Following the university selections, Chreaa wrote to the Advisory Committee on the Granting of Pardon requesting favourable consideration for the inmates to take up their places
