Zimbabwe is on the cusp of making history as rights groups call on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to sign a bill abolishing the death penalty. The bill, which was passed by the senate on Thursday after approval by the lower house, marks a significant step in the nation’s progressive legislative efforts to end capital punishment.
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, speaking to the Voice of America (VOA), expressed optimism that President Mnangagwa would promptly endorse the bill. “He is a man who has not been an advocate of the death penalty,” Ziyambi stated. “The passage of the bill by the senate towards Christmas is an early Christmas present to him, as he has been an advocate to say, ‘We can’t do this.’”
Since assuming office in 2017, Mnangagwa has steadfastly refused to authorize any executions, aligning with his personal history and moral stance. Having experienced the trauma of being on death row during the liberation struggle, Mnangagwa was spared execution by a technicality a life-altering experience that has fueled his advocacy against the death penalty.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have lauded Zimbabwe’s legislative progress and are urging the president to take swift action. Amnesty’s Zimbabwe head, Lucia Masuka, described the bill’s passage as a landmark moment, stating, “The death penalty is the ultimate cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment and has no place in our world. We urge the president to take heed of this historic decision by signing this bill without delay and commuting all death sentences to prison terms.”
This development comes amid Zimbabwe’s long-standing moratorium on executions. The country’s last known execution occurred in 2005, yet courts have continued to hand down death sentences for murders committed under aggravating circumstances. In April 2024, President Mnangagwa commuted the sentences of all individuals on death row to life imprisonment, underscoring his commitment to ending capital punishment.
If Mnangagwa signs the bill, Zimbabwe will join a growing list of African nations abolishing the death penalty. Amnesty International reports that 24 countries in sub-Saharan Africa have abolished the death penalty for all crimes, while two additional countries have done so for ordinary crimes only.
Diverging Views on Abolition
While many celebrate this legislative progress, others, including legal professionals and citizens, express reservations. Zachariah Choga, an attorney based in Harare, argues that removing the death penalty may embolden criminals. “If you look at the increase in crime in Zimbabwe at the moment, especially violent crimes like armed robberies and housebreaking, it’s only going to escalate further with the death penalty off the table,” Choga warned. He maintains that the death penalty served as a deterrent to heinous crimes and fears its removal may erode law and order.
Despite such opposition, proponents emphasize that the death penalty has proven ineffective in reducing crime rates. Human rights advocates argue for addressing underlying social and economic factors driving crime instead of relying on punitive measures like executions.
Looking Ahead
The abolition of the death penalty in Zimbabwe would signal a transformative shift in the nation’s justice system and human rights record. For Mnangagwa, who has demonstrated moral leadership on this issue, signing the bill into law would solidify his legacy as a champion of human rights.
As the nation awaits the president’s decision, rights groups, legal experts, and citizens remain engaged in discussions about justice, deterrence, and the importance of humane punishment. If enacted, this legislation will not only reshape Zimbabwe’s legal landscape but also position the country as a beacon of progressive reform in the region.
