The New Sentencing Guidelines: Striving for Equality and Justice in Zimbabwe
The Criminal Procedure (Sentencing Guidelines) Regulations 2023 in Zimbabwe aim to promote consistency and fairness in sentencing. These guidelines, enacted on August 8, 2023, address disparities in punishment highlighted in the case of State v Sixpence & 5 Others HH567/23. They introduce a victim impact statement, ensuring victims have a voice in the sentencing process. Additionally, the guidelines consider factors such as offender characteristics and the probability of reoffending. This approach aims to provide certainty in sentencing and enhance justice for both offenders and victims.
