Zimbabwe abolishes the death penalty

Zimbabwe has abolished the death penalty with immediate effect. The parliament approved the proposal in early December, and President Mnangagwa signed it into law on the last day of 2024.

The death penalty was previously imposed for serious crimes such as murder, but it was last carried out in 2005 in the country. According to Justice Minister Ziyambi, the death penalty did not reduce crime in Zimbabwe.

He also noted the difficulty in finding executioners, despite the high pay offered. Amnesty International reported that in 2023, 60 Zimbabweans were sentenced to death.

Their sentences will now be commuted to prison terms that may extend to life imprisonment.

Source: NOS

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