President Mnangagwa’s Stand Against Death Penalty Earns Praise in Rome
Zimbabwe has earned international recognition for abolishing the death penalty, with a leading Catholic social justice organisation praising the move as a significant step forward for human rights.
The commendation came during President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State visit to Italy, where he met with the Community of Sant’Egidio and held a historic audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican City.
During a courtesy meeting at the President’s hotel in Rome, Sant’Egidio secretary-general Mr Paolo Impagliazzo described Zimbabwe’s decision as “principled and timely.”
He said, “First of all, we expressed our congratulations for the abolition of the death penalty in Zimbabwe because we are aware that the President was always against the death penalty, but of course, he respected the decision of the country.”
Mr Impagliazzo emphasized the Catholic Church’s moral stance against capital punishment, stating, “We have no right to take the life of anybody, particularly if we are a state, a Government, a country.”
He added that Zimbabwe’s example could inspire other African nations to follow suit:
“We would like to have Africa as the second continent after Europe, free from the death penalty.”
The delegation extended an invitation to Zimbabwe’s Minister of Justice to attend a Sant’Egidio-hosted conference later this year.
Mr Impagliazzo also highlighted Zimbabwe’s longstanding relationship with the organisation, dating back to the 1990s when the country played a key role in peace negotiations during Mozambique’s civil war.
“President Mnangagwa was close to the Community of Sant’Egidio since the 90s,” he said.
According to the Chronicle, President Mnangagwa’s opposition to capital punishment is deeply personal.
In 2016, while serving as Vice-President and overseeing the Ministry of Justice, he presented a paper in Rome on the dangers of the death penalty.
His stance is rooted in experience—he was spared execution by the Ian Smith regime due to his young age during the liberation struggle.
President Mnangagwa also met three Zimbabwean Catholic clergy based in Rome: Father Innocent Chambara and seminarians Newton Kabeta and Hopewell Shonhe.
The trio expressed gratitude for his engagement with the Pope and discussed the Church’s role in promoting peace, education, and health.
“We told him that the Catholic community is very happy with his meeting with the Pope. What they shared is important for the Catholic and the nation,” said Fr Chambara.
The President’s delegation included Foreign Affairs Minister Professor Amon Murwira, Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, Chief Secretary Dr Martin Rushwaya, Deputy Chief Secretary Mr George Charamba, and Zimbabwe’s ambassadors to Italy and the Vatican, Mrs Mietani Chauke and Dr Sekai Nzenza.
President Mnangagwa’s meeting with Pope Leo XIV has been described as a diplomatic milestone, strengthening Zimbabwe’s ties with the Vatican and Italy.
He has since departed Rome for China, concluding what officials have called a landmark State visit that reinforced Zimbabwe’s global partnerships.
