By Victor Akan
Zimbabwe has officially abolished the death penalty, joining a growing list of nations committed to ending what many consider an inhumane practice. This landmark decision comes nearly 20 years after the country carried out its last execution.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by Martin Rushwaya, the chief secretary to the cabinet, who confirmed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had approved the Death Penalty Abolition Act 2024. This legislation, which successfully passed through the Senate, makes Zimbabwe the 127th country globally and the 24th in Africa to outlaw capital punishment.
‘This represents a profound shift in our justice system,’ Rushwaya stated, calling the move a reflection of Zimbabwe’s commitment to human rights and the dignity of all individuals.
A personal victory for Mnangagwa
For President Mnangagwa, this decision carries personal significance. During the 1960s Chimurenga liberation war, Mnangagwa himself faced the threat of execution under the colonial regime. His survival has shaped his lifelong opposition to capital punishment.
As he signed the decree into law, Mnangagwa reaffirmed his belief that the death penalty is a cruel and outdated punishment with no place in a modern justice system.
Global and regional impact
With this decision, Zimbabwe becomes a beacon for the abolitionist movement in Africa. Lucia Masuka, executive director of Amnesty International Zimbabwe, hailed the decision as a ‘beacon of hope.’
‘This is not just great progress for Zimbabwe,’ Masuka said in a statement. ‘It’s also a major milestone for the global pursuit to end the ultimate cruel, inhumane, and degrading punishment.’
The Southern African nation joins other African countries, such as South Africa, Rwanda, and Angola, in abolishing capital punishment. Amnesty International reports that 24 African nations have fully eliminated the death penalty, reflecting a growing trend across the continent.
Death row and justice reform
Zimbabwe currently has around 60 inmates on death row. Under the new law, these prisoners will have their sentences commuted to life imprisonment. The government has pledged to ensure that their transition aligns with international human rights standards.
This move has also reignited conversations about broader justice reforms in Zimbabwe. Legal experts and human rights advocates see the abolition of the death penalty as a stepping stone toward addressing other issues in the country’s judicial system, such as prison overcrowding and access to fair trials.
A symbol of change
The abolition of the death penalty marks a significant step in Zimbabwe’s efforts to align itself with global human rights standards. Advocates see this as more than a policy change; it is a declaration of Zimbabwe’s intent to foster a justice system rooted in dignity and rehabilitation rather than retribution.
The global abolitionist movement continues to gain momentum, with Zimbabwe’s decision adding to the growing consensus that the death penalty has no place in a modern society. For Mnangagwa and his government, this historic reform is a powerful symbol of progress and a hopeful sign for the nation’s future.
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