Murder, rape, aggravated robbery, illegal possession...

Murder, rape, aggravated robbery, illegal possession of arms and arson are capital crimes. The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace has reiterated its opposition towards the death penalty stating that capital punishment is contrary to both the inviolability of life and the dignity of the human being. The Commission would have Parliament re-examine the amendment to the Constitution of Zimbabwe (Chapter 3, Sec.12) sanctioning its applicability. The Foundation for Democracy in Zimbabwe, funded by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, in December 1998 produced a draft blueprint for a new Constitution for Zimbabwe. At Art. 13 (d) it stated: "Save as aforesaid, without limiting judicial discretion, the death penalty shall be a competent sentence in respect of the crimes of treason, murder and rape."