President Peter Mutharika has pardoned 88 prisoners across the country as part of Independence Day celebrations.

This has been disclosed in a press statement from the Ministry of Homeland Security signed its Secretary Samuel TK Madula made available to Faceofmalawi.

“The Ministry of Homeland Security wishes to inform the general public that it has pleased His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi to pardon a total of 88 prisoners as part of independence celebrations.

“The prisoners who have been pardoned are those who were charged with minor offences and have demonstrated good behavioral reform,” reads part of the statement.

According to the statement, the pardon of the 88 prisoners by the President is an act of mercy during this year’s independence celebrations.

In Malawi, it is the tendency of every sitting president to pardon some prisoners during independence celebrations every year.