Zim Now Writer
The abolishment of the death penalty is long overdue, legal think tank Veritas has said, arguing that it is a waste of taxpayers' money through medical and food bills as the inmates await execution.
Veritas programmes manager Lizwe Jamela said this on Monday during a public hearing on the Prisons and Correctional Services Bill which is currently before Parliament.
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice is gathering public views on the Bill.
Clause 91 of the Bill underlines the rights of inmates to access healthcare services and routine medical check-ups.
“We continue to urge government to abolish the death penalty for various reasons like that the death penalty is a form of torture as it affects mental health. It is an expense on taxpayers which can be done away with,” Jamela said.
“Actually, before I came here, I was having a conversation with my colleague. I was saying that if someone is sentenced to death and is kept on government medical bill and fed using taxpayers’ money just like broilers waiting to be slaughtered; then we need to reflect on that issue.”
Zimbabwe carried out its last execution in 2015, and last year, 62 inmates were reported to be on death row, making Zimbabwe one of the 25 countries that recognise the death penalty, but do not carry out executions.
To date, 110 countries have abolished the death penalty, with the Central Africa Republic, Papua New Guinea and Equatorial Guinea being the latest on the list.
The Bill proposes to establish a Parole Board in clause 139, which is expected to comprise eight members, five of whom are not officers of the prison service.
“There is need for all inmates to be eligible for parole. The Parole Board will only recommend the release of a prisoner under the death sentence where it involves a serious health hazard which may require special treatment, or if the inmate is of advanced age or is disabled,”Jamela said.
The Veritas programmes manager said the Bill seems to suggest that people become a forgotten lot once they are sentenced to death.
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