Zimbabwe abolishes death penalty
3 min readZimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed a groundbreaking law abolishing the death penalty, making it the latest country in southern Africa to move toward the elimination of capital punishment. The decision, which comes into effect immediately, marks a significant shift in Zimbabwe’s judicial landscape.
The death penalty, a legacy of British colonial rule, has been a contentious issue in Zimbabwe for years. Although executions were suspended after 2005, the country’s courts continued to impose the death sentence for serious crimes, particularly murder. At the end of 2023, there were approximately 60 individuals on death row. These individuals will now have their sentences revisited, with judges instructed to consider the gravity of their crimes, the time they have spent on death row, and their personal circumstances before determining new sentences.
Amnesty International, a prominent rights organization, praised Zimbabwe’s move, describing it as a “beacon of hope for the abolitionist movement” in Africa. However, the group also expressed concerns over a clause in the new law that permits the reintroduction of the death penalty during a state of emergency. Amnesty urged Zimbabwean authorities to remove this provision, highlighting the dangers of reinstating capital punishment under such circumstances.
Zimbabwe’s parliamentary vote in December 2024 set the stage for the legal reform, which was swiftly approved by President Mnangagwa. The decision came as part of the government’s broader push for judicial and human rights reforms, a policy that the president and his supporters have long championed. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi hailed the move as “more than a legal reform” but rather a strong statement of Zimbabwe’s commitment to justice, humanity, and modern values. The law’s approval follows the rejection of the death penalty in numerous African nations, reflecting the continent’s growing movement against the practice.
The Death Penalty Abolition Act, which was officially published in the government gazette on Tuesday, brings to an end a longstanding era of capital punishment in Zimbabwe. Under this law, the nation joins a growing list of 113 countries globally, including 24 in Africa, that have fully abolished the death penalty. However, Amnesty International has urged further reform, particularly concerning the provision allowing the death penalty during public emergencies, which it argues is a setback for human rights.
Mnangagwa’s personal history with the death penalty adds weight to his opposition to capital punishment. In the 1960s, during Zimbabwe’s struggle for independence, Mnangagwa was sentenced to death for his involvement in an attack on a train. His death sentence was later commuted to a 10-year prison term, an experience that significantly shaped his views on the death penalty. As a result, Mnangagwa has become a staunch critic of capital punishment, arguing that no government or judicial system should have the power to take a life, particularly in a society transitioning from colonial rule and conflict to democratic governance.
This legal reform has significant implications not only for Zimbabwe but for broader international efforts to abolish the death penalty. Amnesty International, while celebrating the country’s progress, emphasized that the practice of capital punishment remains a global human rights issue. The organization has long campaigned for the abolition of the death penalty, calling it an “ultimate cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment.”
Zimbabwe’s move to abolish the death penalty comes amidst increasing pressure from both domestic and international rights groups. The country’s ruling party, Zanu-PF, has been in power since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980 and has faced criticism for its increasingly authoritarian rule. However, this decision demonstrates a shift towards more progressive policies, in part driven by international advocacy and internal demands for reforms.
Globally, the death penalty continues to be a subject of intense debate. While 113 countries have fully abolished capital punishment, it remains prevalent in some parts of the world. In 2023, the five countries with the highest number of executions were China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and the United States. Amnesty has pointed out that despite the global trend towards abolition, the continued use of the death penalty in these nations remains a significant challenge for human rights advocates worldwide.
For Zimbabwe, the decision to abolish the death penalty marks a historic step towards enhancing human rights protections and fostering a more just and humane society. While challenges remain, especially concerning the use of the death penalty during emergencies, the country’s move is a hopeful sign for those advocating for abolition and justice reform in Africa and beyond.
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