Malawi Pres. Banda pardons 394 prisoners to celebrate 49th independence
Malawi President Dr Joyce Banda on Wednesday pardoned 394 prisoners convicted of minor offences to mark the country’s 49 years of independence from British rule.
The statement from Ministry of Home Affairs in Lilongwe said President Banda had pardoned “prisoners who had served half of their sentences and those with good behaviour and were not convicted of serious offences.”
Last year during same celebrations, Banda pardoned 377 prisoners.
Malawi’s 23 prisons hold 12 000 inmates – double their capacity.
The prison conditions were once described by a high court judge as “hell on earth.”
Malawi will celebrate 49 years of Independence on Saturday with main celebratory events taking place at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
President Banda will grace the function that will involve traditional dances, displays, netball match between Malawi and Zambia culminating in a football match between Malawi and Mozambique.
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