Zimbabwe has decided to pardon 3,000 prisoners in an attempt to depopulate its overcrowded jails. The move is also expected to help ease pressure on public spending.
The pardon was signed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Those affected are all women, apart from those with life sentences, the disabled and under-18s.
The terminally ill and over-60s are also included - if they have served a third of their sentence.
As for those who have been on death row for more than a decade, they will have their sentences commuted to life.
As for those who have been on death row for more than a decade, they will have their sentences commuted to life.
As would be expected, anyone who was convicted of murder, treason, rape or any sexual offence, carjacking and armed robbery are excluded from the pardon.
According to the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service, the decision will ease overcrowding in the country's jails and bring the population down to about 17,000.
The decision seems welcome as the country tries to rebuild following years of economic hardship, which has seen it struggle to feed, clothe and provide healthcare for its prisoners.
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