As per President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s commitment, the Zimbabwean cabinet has endorsed a proposal to eliminate the death penalty, potentially sparing the lives of fewer than 100 prisoners on death row.
The country has refrained from executions since 2005.
The cabinet’s decision, conveyed by government spokesman Nick Mangwana, awaits parliamentary clearance, where the ruling Zanu-PF party holds a substantial majority.
Notably, the constitution grants judges the discretion to impose the death penalty for murder in aggravating circumstances, applicable to male offenders aged 21 to 70.
Zimbabwe, since gaining independence in 1980, has executed 79 individuals, with seven out of 16 SADC member states having entirely abolished the death penalty.
