The Malawi Prison Service has clarified the circumstances surrounding the early release of 25-year-old repeat offender Peter Mwenyevesa, amid questions over why he is no longer serving his 48-months sentence in prison.
Prison Service Public Relations Officer Steve Meke said Mwenyevesa was convicted of cattle theft in Mchinji District and sentenced to 48 months’ hard labor, starting on November 29, 2023, with an original release date set for November 28, 2027.
Meke explained that Mwenyevesa was released early on December 26, 2024, after benefiting from statutory sentence remissions under the Prisons Act and three presidential amnesties.
The first, on March 31, 2024, reduced his sentence by six months; the second, on July 6, 2024, by nine months; and the third, on December 25, 2024, by another six months.
While serving part of his sentence at Lilongwe Prison, Mwenyevesa was remanded on June 16, 2025, in connection with a bicycle theft case.
He appeared in court on June 17 and July 3, 2025, under police custody but reportedly did not return to prison afterward.
“The Prison Service is responsible only for inmates within its facilities,” Meke said. “He served his 48-month jail term and was released lawfully through remissions and presidential amnesties. His failure to return after court appearances is now a police matter.”
The clarification comes as police investigate Mwenyevesa’s alleged involvement in high-profile motorcycle robberies in Lilongwe, some of which reportedly resulted in serious injuries and deaths.
Lilongwe Police Public Relations Officer Hastings Chigalu confirmed that Mwenyevesa, also known as Peter Mwale, is currently in police custody.
Mwenyevesa hails from Kasina Village, Traditional Authority Kaphuka, in Dedza District.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine how he ended up outside prison despite his sentence.
