The Zimbabwean Senate has taken significant steps toward abolishing the death penalty, passing legislation aimed at ending capital punishment, which has not been enforced for nearly two decades. This landmark decision was made on December 11, 2024, bringing the bill closer to reality, contingent only upon the signature of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Once signed, the bill will mark a decisive end to the practice of the death penalty, which last saw execution carried out by hanging in 2005. At the heart of this legislative shift is President Mnangagwa, who has been vocal against capital punishment since taking office in 2017. Reflecting on his own brushes with death—having faced the gallows during Zimbabwe's struggle for independence—Mnangagwa has previously commuted death sentences and granted amnesties converting them to life imprisonment.
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi remarked on the bill’s passage, calling it “an early Christmas present” for Mnangagwa, who has consistently expressed the sentiment, “We can't do this.” He stated, "He is ready to sign like yesterday,” indicating the President's favorable view of the legislation after years of advocacy.
Support from human rights organizations, particularly Amnesty International, has played a pivotal role in rallying for this bill. Lucia Masuka, head of Amnesty International Zimbabwe, praised the senate’s decision, terming it as “a major step” toward ending the death penalty. Masuka urged Mnangagwa to swiftly sign the bill and commute all current death sentences, framing the death penalty as “the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.”
The current legal framework still sees over 60 individuals awaiting execution, even as calls for abolition grow stronger. Amnesty points out the trend across the globe, noting approximately three-quarters of countries have discontinued the death penalty entirely or imposed moratoriums on its use. Zimbabwe's move follows similar initiatives from Kenya, Liberia, and Ghana, which have also taken steps toward abolishing capital punishment.
Yet, this shift is not without its detractors. Some critics argue the removal of the death penalty could exacerbate issues of violent crime in Zimbabwe. Zachariah Choga, an attorney based in Harare, expressed concern, asserting, “...if you look at the increase in crime, especially violent crimes... it could have been the only deterrent.” His perspective highlights the tensions around the potential consequences of abolishing the death penalty, particularly concerning rising rates of armed robbery and related offenses.
Globally, Amnesty International recorded 1,153 known executions across the world for the year 2023, marking a significant increase from the previous year. While fewer countries engaged in executions—dropping from 20 to 16—the figures from places like North Korea, Vietnam, and China remain shrouded due to lack of transparency. Amnesty’s reports have identified China as the foremost executioner, with Iranian and Saudi Arabian authorities accounting for nearly 90% of all executions globally.
Zimbabwe stands at a crossroads, with this proposed law representing not just a change within its borders but also contributing to the wider international movement against the death penalty. The country's previous history of capital punishment and its last execution almost two decades prior indicates a progressive acknowledgement toward human rights.
Human rights advocates remain vigilant, watching closely as President Mnangagwa deliberates his signature on the newly passed bill. Activists see this as not merely legislation, but as part of the moral obligation to protect the sanctity of life. If enacted, this law could serve as both a powerful message domestically and inspiration to other nations still retaining similar punitive measures.
Whether Zimbabwe will join the growing list of countries openly rejecting the death penalty remains to be seen. But for many, this legislative victory is already being heralded as one of hope and immense promise, indicating the nation’s striving for progress and justice.
