President Peter Mutharika has pardoned 222 prisoners, including businessperson Pika Manondo who was serving a 15-year sentence after being convicted in 2016 for conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder.
Manondo was convicted and sentenced alongside former Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldier McDonald Kumwembe for the offences in connection with the shooting of former Ministry of Finance budget director Paul Mphwiyo outside the gate of his Area 43 residence in Lilongwe in September 2013.
The President extended the gesture as part of celebrating Christmas and New Year.
While Manondo is on the list, the Ministry of Homeland Security said in a statement on January 1 2026 that presidential clemency did not extend to prisoners convicted of murder.
Queried on the apparent contradiction, Malawi Prison Services national spokesperson Steve Meke said he needed more time to comment on the matter as he did not have details regarding Manondo’s release.
He said if he is on the list, there could be multiple factors considered in granting clemency and the pardon committee would be better placed to provide authoritative explanations.
“It’s news to me. But there could be several factors that can lead to the release. The pardon committee is better placed to comment on the matter,” said Meke.
The presidential pardon, traditionally exercised during festive seasons is meant to decongest prisons and offer deserving inmates a second chance.
Manondo and Kumwembe were co-accused with former minister of Justice and Attorney General Ralph Kasambara who was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment. However, Kasambara, now deceased, was released on bail pending appeal in March 2018 after serving one year and seven months in prison while Manondo and Kumwembe’s bids were rejected with retired Justice of Appeal Dunstain Mwaungulu at the time calling for a speedy hearing of their appeal.
