In a symbolic move to mark Malawi’s 2025 Independence Day, President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has granted clemency to 37 prisoners, demonstrating a commitment to both justice reform and national unity.
The Ministry of Homeland Security announced the decision on Saturday, citing Section 89(2) of the Constitution and Section 111 of the Prisons Act, which empower the President to exercise the prerogative of mercy.
According to a statement signed by Secretary for Homeland Security Dr. Steven W.S. Kayuni, the pardons were extended to inmates who had served at least half of their sentences, as well as elderly and chronically ill prisoners.
All recipients were vetted under official guidelines and selected based on good conduct and signs of genuine rehabilitation.
“This act of clemency reflects both the spirit of national celebration and the government’s commitment to a rehabilitative justice system,” the statement noted.
Authorities stressed that the release excludes repeat offenders and individuals convicted of serious crimes such as murder, rape, defilement, arson, armed robbery, and offenses against persons with albinism or disabilities.
Officials also clarified that the clemency is not a blanket amnesty, but a carefully targeted act aimed at prison decongestion and social reintegration.
The pardons come as Malawians commemorate 61 years of independence from British colonial rule.
