Zimbabwe abolishes death penalty: Historic law signed by President Mnangagwa
Peter Moyo
Today, President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed into law the Death Penalty Abolition Bill, marking a historic moment as Zimbabwe officially abolished the death penalty for ordinary circumstances.
This monumental legislative change signifies a profound shift in the country’s criminal justice system, making Zimbabwe one of the latest African nations to embrace human rights reforms by ending capital punishment.
The new law prohibits courts from imposing death sentences for any crimes, including those previously punishable by death, such as murder under aggravating circumstances. However, the legislation includes a contentious clause in the Defence Act, allowing for the death penalty’s reinstatement during a state of public emergency.
Reacting to this news, Lucia Masuka, Executive Director of Amnesty International Zimbabwe (AIZ), said, “Amnesty International applauds Zimbabwe’s decision to abolish the death penalty for all crimes, but regrets the possibility of its reinstatement during state of emergency under the Defence Act. This is not just great progress for Zimbabwe, it is also a beacon of hope for the abolitionist movement in the region, and a major milestone in the global collective pursuit for an end to this ultimate cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment.”
Masuka further emphasized, “By enacting the Death Penalty Abolition Bill, Zimbabwe has taken a major step towards aligning its laws with international human rights standards. Its actions also send a clear message about the fundamental importance of protecting the right to life and human dignity. We urge the authorities to now swiftly move to a full abolition of the death penalty by removing the clause included in the amendments to the Bill allowing for the use of the death penalty for the duration of any state of public emergency.”
Amnesty International Zimbabwe has been instrumental in advocating for this change, highlighting the need for complete abolition without exceptions.
With this law, at least 59 individuals who were on death row as of last year will now be resentenced, moving Zimbabwe closer to international human rights standards. This development places Zimbabwe among 24 African countries and 113 global nations that have fully abolished the death penalty.
The signing of this bill has resonated across social media, with posts on X capturing both national pride and international support for this change, while also acknowledging the ongoing work needed to ensure the law’s integrity during potential future emergencies.
