JK pardons 4,160 inmates as he steps down

Outgoing President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday pardoned a total of 4,160 inmates as he handed over power to the new President Dr John Magufuli.

Magufuli was sworn in yesterday as Tanzania’s fifth-phase President.

 

The presidential pardon included 887 prisoners who will be set free and 3, 293 whose jail term will be reduced by at least one over sixth.

In a statement availed to ‘The Guardian’ yesterday, Home Affairs minister Mathias Chikawe said that the presidential clemency has been effected in accordance  with the powers vested in him under Article 45 (1) (d) of the Constitution.

 

The minister explained that the presidential pardon would benefit inmates suffering from HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and cancer after their condition have been confirmed by a panel of medical experts.

 

Others are those who were jailed while they were pregnant as well as breastfeeding and non breastfeeding mothers. 

 

Inmates with physical and mental disabilities are also included in the presidential pardon.

 

“The government hopes that those who will be set free are going to join the society in building the nation and avoid engaging themselves in  crimes so that they don't go back to prison,” he said.

 

However, he said the early release from jail would not benefit inmates convicted of graft, armed robbery or robbery with violence, offences linked to firearms, sexual offences, abuse of office, preventing children from going to school, hijacking vehicles, vandalism of public infrastructure and human trafficking.

 

Others not granted pardon are prisoners serving life imprisonment, impregnating schoolgirls, those convicted of attempt to escape from re-correction facilities, any person who once benefited from the presidential amnesty and those serving sentences under the Parole Board Act 1994 and Community Services Act 2002.

 

During the nation’s commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar this year, Dr Kikwete also pardoned 4,129 prisoners.

 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN