Human Rights Commission Commends Mnangagwa’s Successful Move to Abolish the Death Penalty

In a historic move, Zimbabwe has officially abolished the death penalty, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa signing the Death Penalty Abolition Act into law on December 31, 2024. The landmark decision marks a turning point for the country, as Zimbabwe had not carried out an execution since 2005, and nearly 60 individuals were awaiting execution on death row.

The new law eliminates the death penalty for all crimes, aligning Zimbabwe with a growing global movement towards abolition. President Mnangagwa, who himself was sentenced to death during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle in the 1960s—only for his sentence to be commuted—has long opposed capital punishment. This change solidifies his stance, further emphasizing his belief in the sanctity of life.

The move has been widely praised by human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, which hailed it as a significant step forward. However, the law contains a provision that allows for the potential reinstatement of the death penalty in cases of national emergency under the Defence Act. Amnesty has expressed concern over this clause, urging that the death penalty remain abolished under all circumstances.

This development places Zimbabwe among the 24 African nations that have fully abolished capital punishment. The country’s decision follows a broader trend across the continent, with other nations, including Kenya and Liberia, also considering the abolition of the death penalty.

As Zimbabwe takes this step towards human rights and justice reform, it adds to a growing list of nations that have embraced the global abolitionist movement.