The International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) welcomes the abolition of the death penalty for ordinary crimes in Zimbabwe through the Death Penalty Abolition Act (2024), which President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed into law on 31 December 2024.
Zimbabwe has had a de facto moratorium on executions since 2005, but the courts could continue to impose the death penalty. The Death Penalty Abolition Bill was introduced to the National Assembly in November 2023 and gazetted on 14 December 2023. On 6 February 2024, the Cabinet announced its approval of the Bill and on 11 December 2024 the Senate approved the legislation. Currently, there are approximately 60 people on death row in Zimbabwe. It is understood that they will be resentenced or have their death sentences commuted.
