Zimbabwe takes giant leap towards abolishing death...

Zimbabwe takes giant leap towards abolishing death penalty

Zim Now Writer

Zimbabwe's National Assembly and Senate have unanimously passed the Death Penalty Abolition Bill, paving the way for the country to join the growing list of nations that have abolished capital punishment. The bill now awaits presidential assent, which is expected to be a mere formality given President Emmerson Mnangagwa's public denouncement of the death penalty .

This historic development marks a significant shift in Zimbabwe's stance on capital punishment, which has been widely condemned for violating human dignity. The bill's passage is a testament to the power of bipartisan cooperation, with lawmakers from both the ruling Zanu PF and opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) parties coming together to support the abolition of the death penalty.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who also serves as the Leader of Government Business in Parliament, applauded the Senators for their historic vote, noting that it demonstrates the ability of lawmakers to put aside their differences and work towards a common goal .

The abolition of the death penalty has been a long time coming, with Zimbabwe having been on a de facto moratorium on executions for nearly two decades. The last execution was carried out in 2005, and since then, the country has been slowly moving towards abolishing capital punishment altogether.

The passage of the Death Penalty Abolition Bill is a major victory for human rights advocates in Zimbabwe and around the world. Amnesty International has welcomed the development, urging President Mnangagwa to sign the bill into law without delay .

With this historic milestone, Zimbabwe is poised to join the ranks of countries that have abolished the death penalty, including Angola, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, and Zambia.