Mixed feelings over abolition of death penalty

Oscar J Jeke

The public has expressed mixed feelings over the consideration and approval of the abolition of the death penalty by cabinet.

This comes as the Private Member’s Bill that provides for the abolition of the death penalty received backing and got approval from Cabinet, making life imprisonment the maximum and highest sentence in the country.

One of the clauses in the Bill (Clause two) states, “Notwithstanding any other law, no court shall impose the sentence of death upon a person for any offence, whenever committed, but instead, shall impose whatever other competent sentence is appropriate in the circumstances of the case; the Supreme Court shall not confirm a sentence of death imposed upon an appellant, whenever that sentence may have been imposed, but instead shall substitute whatever other competent sentence is appropriate in the circumstances of the case; no sentence of death, whenever imposed, shall be carried out.”

Zim Now took to the streets to get public reactions on the abolition of the death sentence.

“It is not fair to the family of the victim or the community to abolish such when they have lost their loved ones to murder. It is unfair and inconsiderate. Should have stayed the death sentence,” said 34-year-old Fungai Magayo, owner of Harare-based BeFree Restaurant, Clothing and Homeware.

19-year-old, Natasha, a street vendor said: “God gives punishment and not humans, there is no need to kill. They made the correct call to remove such,” she said.

“The death penalty should stay, if you compare with other countries that have abolished the penalty, you will see that crime and murder are high. An eye for an eye. Now, murderers do whatever they want knowing they won’t be sentenced to death. It’s taxpayers’ money that they will be spending while eating in prison,” said a Harare mechanic, who preferred to be referred to just as Mpofu.

His sentiments were also echoed by his colleague, John Simon, who is a farmer.

Owen, 45, a car spares shop owner said: “The death penalty is a well-deserved punishment, especially to rapists and murderers so that the society becomes safe. However, these cases should be exemplary and need proper investigation seeing that many are falsely accused.”

“I think it’s right to remove such a law, life sentence is okay,” 26-year-old Velma Nyamayaro said.