admin
Dr Masimba Mavaza Correspondent
William Chinyanga a member of the CCC who encouraged bombings in Zimbabwe in online speeches has been jailed for terrorism offences.
The 52-year-old acquaintance of Nelson Chamisa live-streamed a number of speeches on Facebook protesting Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu PF, in which he encouraged bombings and attacks on soldiers and police.
He encouraged violence on the streets of Zimbabwe and urged the youth to make Zimbabwe ungovernable.
His behaviour offended the right thinking Britons who referred to counter-terror police who swooped to arrest him on February 25, 2020 at his home in north London.
In interview, he admitted to posting the videos. He was sentenced to three years’ in prison on Friday.
The arrest, conviction and sentence showed that indeed crime is an international scourge. It does not matter where it happens, it attracts the same revulsion in all right minded peace loving people worldwide.
The Conviction of the Zimbabwean terrorist in the UK courts in London demonstrates that those who engage in acts of terrorism have no hiding place.
The whole process of bringing Chinyanga to court, conviction and sentence serves as a warning to the like- minded violent mongers that political violence is rewarded by a lengthy prison term. England is a peaceful country because the system is not afraid to apply its laws.
The laws are put up there for a reason and the system must never hesitate to apply the full wreath of the law.
Without applying the law, a country remains a jungle. As we enter into the 2023 elections peace must be maintained and this must be done by using the law.
The conviction of the terrorist Chinyanga is also a legal statement for those who are delusional, that Zimbabwe is a legitimate Government, recognised in international jurisdictions. Otherwise there would have been no basis for conviction of the terrorist in this instance.
Unfortunately, the opposition in Zimbabwe does not recognise the Government and does not recognise State institutions.
This case must open their eyes and wisen up to the fact that our State has a right to defend itself and that right stems from the right to exist and exist independently.
It is progressive international practices to stem out terrorism.
However, the primary responsibility to protect the Zimbabwean State lies with Zimbabwe. As we face 2023 Zimbabwe must not be afraid to arrest and try the trouble makers.
It is not barbaric to imprison those who are set to tarnish the image of our beautiful Zimbabwe. It is sad and certainly not surprising that the opposition has not issued a statement to condemn one of its own.
Their silence suggests that they put petty-party politics ahead of national interests. Who will trust them to govern?
If Chinyanga had been arrested in Zimbabwe for the same terrorist crimes which he has been convicted of in London, instead of being a terrorist that he is, he would be a celebrity. The opposition and so-called human rights would be making him a democrat and a human right advocate.
Do democrats change purpose when they are not in Africa. One cannot imagine the amount of abuse which was to be levelled against Zimbabwe if Chinyanga was tried by Justice Katiyo or Justice Musakwa.
Clearly an act is a terrorist act when conducted on British soil and prosecuted by the English legal system.
The same act is democratic activism if practiced on Zimbabwean soil and prosecuted by the Zimbabwean legal system.
While English courts are lauded for their independence in prosecuting the Zimbabwean terrorist, if it had been done in Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwean courts would be condemned as allegedly “captured”.
Where is Hopewell Chin’ono now. Why is he silent if indeed there was a breach.
It seems to me that if Job Sikhala would have been arrested in England for the same allegations, no one would be condemning the system.
The Chinyanga case is a good example of what will happen to those who are bent on trying the patience of Zimbabwe legal system.
We are a country in the world and we must show the same diligence the other countries show to law breakers.
Acts of terrorism are a grave crime because they threaten national and public security.
For that reason every country, including Zimbabwe, has the right to invoke the arm of the law.
Why is it assumed that the Zimbabwean law enforcement system must be apologetic and permissive?
Zimbabwe will not hesitate to grab you by the nose straight to prison if you compromise Zimbabwean peace.
2023 should be a peaceful year and a new Government should be allowed to lead in peace. Let Chinyanga be an example and a lesson to the CCC noise makers. Now we have questions to Lord Oates.
What is his comment about Chinyanga’s case? We all know that he is the devil’s advocate who always attack Zimbabwe’s judicial for enforcing the law. What are these so called human rights defenders?
We have seen silence from CHAMISA which deafening. MP Kate Hoey and Lord Oaths take the Zimbabwean issue to their parliament but they turn a blind eye to this system. This should be a lesson to Lord Oates and Hoey that terrorists must never be accepted.
They want to defend Sikhala and demonise Zimbabwe but they are mum when it comes to their door steps.
The greatest lesson we must learn is that in 2023 if you’re used to cause violence and tarnish the name of our country you will be left alone to deal with the repercussions.
It will be interesting to see how many CCC officials would be queuing to see Mr Chinyanga in an English jail.
This must show you that you will be alone if you follow CCC. Even more importantly, no Briton will call for sanctions against their own country for prosecuting terrorism.
We await with baited breath to see if CCC will call for sanctions against Britain for prosecuting Chinyanga. Where are the demonstrators? Are we to expect CCC members to demonstrate at the British embassy in Harare? The truth of the matter is that we have so -called human rights organisations who play double standards.
Zimbabwe is the only country we can call ours in the whole world. Please let’s guard or freedom jealously.
Online Reporter