14,000 prisoners to be released in South Africa to mark Nelson Mandela's anniversary

"The South African government is releasing more than 14,000 prisoners to mark the anniversary of Nelson Mandela winning the country's first democratic elections in 1994.

It represents about 9% of the country's prison population.

Another 20,000 offenders, on probation or parole, will not return to prison.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said violent criminals and those jailed for sexual, drug-related and weapons offenses will not be freed.

Prison overcrowding was being reduced from 34% over capacity to about 20%.

Since 1994, prisoners have been amnestied on several symbolic occasions." rte