News release - Majority of Zimbabweans support death penalty for serious crimes, Afrobarometer survey shows

Harare, Zimbabwe 6 November 2024 News release Majority of Zimbabweans support death penalty for serious crimes, Afrobarometer survey shows More than half of Zimbabweans support the death penalty for people who have committed the most serious crimes, such as murder, a new Afrobarometer survey indicates. [...] On a separate question regarding the appropriateness of sentences handed down for crimes in general, a majority of Zimbabweans say penalties for ordinary citizens who commit crimes are about right, while a similar proportion say penalties for political leaders, government officials, and other powerful people are too lenient. [...] Key findings More than half (55%) of Zimbabweans say the death penalty is a fair punishment for those who commit the most serious crimes, such as murder, while 44% believe there is no crime for which the death penalty can be justified (Figure 1). [...] Charts Figure 1: Views on the death penalty | Zimbabwe | 2024 1% Death penalty is a fair punishment for serious crimes 44% Death penalty cannot be justified 55% Agree with neither/Don't know Respondents were asked: Which of the following statements is closest to your view? Statement 1: The death penalty is a fair punishment for those who have committed the most serious crimes, such as murder. [...] (% who support Statement 1) Figure 4: Support for the death penalty | by province | Zimbabwe | 2024 Average 55% Harare 63% Bulawayo/Mat South/Mat North 62% Mashonaland Central 57% Mashonaland West 54% Mashonaland East 52% Midlands 52% Manicaland 52% Masvingo 44% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Respondents were asked: Which of the following statements is closest to your view? Statement 1: The death penalty.