Zimbabwe’s cabinet had on Tuesday, February 6, agreed to put an end to the death penalty law, after months of debate in parliament. Going forward, the cabinet has chosen to instead, to enforce extended prison sentences for the worst crimes.
Last year, the cabinet passed a private member’s bill in the National Assembly to abolish the death penalty assumed from British colonial rule.
The cabinet had said in a statement.
“In light of the need to retain the deterrent element in sentencing murderers, it is expected that the current law will charge lengthy sentences without contravening the right to life.”The reality of aggravating circumstances may attract life sentences.”
The Zimbabwe government had carried out its last execution in 2005.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who had once been put on the death row during the struggle for independence against British rule, has been campaigning to end the death penalty.
