ZIMBABWE BEGINS RESENTENCING OF DEATH ROW INMATES AFTER ABOLISHING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

Zimbabwe has started the process of resentencing prisoners who were on death row after officially abolishing the death penalty, the Global South World reported on January 22, 2025.
The country’s Permanent Secretary for Justice, Vimbai Nyemba, revealed that key officials, including legal and prison authorities, will meet by the end of January to ensure a smooth transition for the affected inmates.
The resentencing process will take place at the High Court, where each inmate will have their case reviewed, local reports say.
Prisoners will be allowed to have legal representation, either through their own choice or by state-appointed lawyers.
After this, judges will decide on new sentences which could include life imprisonment.
More than 40 prisoners are part of this process, including some who have spent decades on death row.
The longest-serving inmate has been at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison for 22 years.