Aggravated robbery and the death penalty in Zambia: an examination of the 1974 Penal Code Amendment Act (No. 2)

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Periodical article

Title:	Aggravated robbery and the death penalty in Zambia: an examination of the 1974 Penal Code Amendment Act (No. 2)
Author:	Mwansa, Kalombo T.
Year:	1984
Periodical:	Zambia Law Journal
Volume:	16
Pages:	69-78
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs., ills.
Geographic terms:	Zambia Central Africa
Subjects:	capital punishment robbery law criminal law Zambia. Penal Code Amendment Act (1974) Traditional culture
Abstract:	In Zambia the death penalty has always been mandatory for murder and treason. The 1974 Penal Code Amendment Act (No. 2) also made aggravated robbery where firearms or other offensive weapons or instruments are used and grievous harm is done a capital offence. It was felt that this would protect the public from armed robbers and at the same time serve as a deterrent to potential armed robbers. It seems, however, that the public protection and deterrence argument is statistically weak, as executions are rare. Moreover, since 1974 there has been a steady increase in the number of people sentenced to death but no corresponding increase in the number of people actually executed. In view of the lack of convincing evidence as to the effectiveness of the death penalty in curbing aggravated robbery, it is difficult to justify its continued existence. Moreover, it has no basis in Zambian Humanism nor in the traditions of Zambian society. Notes, ref.