Monday, May 23, 2022
  • About Us
  • ImagiNATION
  • Adverts
  • Rate Card
  • Contact Us
The Nation Online
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home News National News

Chakwera pardons 499 prisoners

by Precious Kumbani
14/08/2020
in National News
2 min read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on LinkedinLinkedinShare via Email

President Lazarus Chakwera has pardoned 499 prisoners in a bid to reduce congestion in prisons amid the rising number of Covid-19 cases.

Earlier this month, the country’s prisons registered 107 Covid-19 cases with Chichiri Prison in Blantyre and Nkhata Bay Prison as the worst hit.

Writing on his Facebook page, Minister of Homeland Security Richard Chimwendo Banda, without giving much details, said the pardon was in reaction to the souring Covid-19 cases. 

President Lazarus Chakwera

However, spokesperson for the Malawi Prison Services Chimwemwe Shaba said his office was yet to receive communication from the Ministry.

Shaba was quick to point out that plans have been there to release prisoners in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This is not the first time we are releasing prisoners because of the pandemic. Recently the president pardoned more than 3000 prisoners through other projects such as the Chilungamo project,” said Shaba.

Reacting to the news, Executive Director for Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance (Chreaa) Victor Mhango who confirmed the news of the pardon said while they appreciate the President’s effort, they feel the number is too low and will not make a difference.

“Our prisons are heavily congested and if we are not carefully they will turn into a breeding ground for the coronavirus. On average we have more than 14 000 prisoners in the country’s prisons. This is too much, there is need to release more prisoners in the wake of this pandemic,” said Mhango. 

Mhango further said he feels prisoners are not being treated as humans when it comes to following World Health Organisation (WHO) standards on Covid-19.

In September last year, a Malawi Inspectorate of Prisons report urged government to decongest the country’s prisons on the basis that they were holding 14 778 inmates against an occupancy of 5000.

Previous Post

Bushiri, ECG Church hails Chakwera as a ‘listening and progressive’ leader

Next Post

Trump has left USA in tatters—Biden

Related Posts

National News

Malawi overlooks players diet

May 22, 2022
Some of the protesters at the site on Saturday
Editors Pick

Anti-Chizuma vigil enters third day

May 22, 2022
Despite funds being available, the M1 remains in sorry state
Front Page

How loans get wasted

May 22, 2022
Next Post

Trump has left USA in tatters—Biden

Opinions and Columns

People’s Tribunal

What was that press briefing all about?

May 22, 2022
Big Man Wamkulu

Wife, in-law plotting my downfall

May 22, 2022
My Thought

Tonse Alliance died on arrival

May 22, 2022
Layman's Reflection

New IMF programme pivotal moment for Tonse Alliance

May 21, 2022

Trending Stories

  • Musician Martse in hospital after fire accident

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Malawi overlooks players diet

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • How loans get wasted

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Gaba comes up with two options

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Onesimus leaves Major One Records

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Malawi-Music.com Top10

  • Values
  • Our Philosophy
  • Editorial policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism disclaimer
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use

© 2022 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation

© 2020 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.