In what comes as a lesson for people to watch what they post online, a Zimbabwean teacher based in the UK has been charged with inciting terrorism. The charges relate to speeches that 50-year-old William Chinyanga shared on Facebook, in which he allegedly encouraged people back in Zimbabwe to burn down petrol stations, businesses and other infrastructure in the country.
Chinyanga who lives in Archway, north London shared the speeches on Facebook in early December 2019. In the videos, Chinyanga allegedly encouraged viewers to burn down buses, petrol stations, fuel tankers, buildings and other infrastructure in the Zimbabwean capital Harare, in order to put ‘pressure’ on the Government.
Chinyanga who is a campaigner for political change in his home country and who is reported to be an agent of the opposition by local publication, The Herald, was arrested on February 25 last year by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command after Zimbabwean law enforcement officials reported the videos to their counterparts in the United Kingdom.
The Science teacher appeared at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing in his case of encouraging terrorism on Friday. During his court appearance, Chinyanga spoke only to confirm his identity in the dock.
Mr Justice Sweeney granted Chinyanga conditional bail and set a provisional trial date of January 10, 2022, with a further preparatory hearing on May 28.
