Zimbabwe has abolished the death penalty, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa signing the bill into law on December 31, 2024. Mnangagwa, who survived a death sentence during the colonial era due to his age, played a pivotal role in advancing the legislation. Parliament, led by the ruling ZANU-PF, endorsed the bill, which was introduced by opposition MP Edwin Mushoriwa. Proponents, including Mushoriwa and human rights groups, argue that the death penalty disproportionately affects the poor and is a relic of colonial rule. Parvais Jabbar of the Death Penalty Project, one of the bill’s supporters, highlighted a growing African movement against capital punishment, calling this step a foundation for broader human rights reforms. However, some people, like artisan miner Vincent Mazilankatha, oppose the decision, citing increased violence since discussions began. Zimbabwe joins 24 sub-Saharan African nations abolishing capital punishment for all crimes, with two others restricting its use to extraordinary cases.
SOURCE: VOA NEWS
