QUICK READ

jonisayi.maromo@africannewsagency.com A ZIMBABWEAN teacher based in the UK, Martin William Chinyanga is set to be tried by a British court after he was charged with encouraging terrorism through his Facebook posts.

The outspoken Chinyanga, 50, a resident of north London, was charged under the UK’s Terrorism Act in January with four counts of posting online videos encouraging terrorism.

Referred to by state media in

Zimbabwe as an activist of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change Alliance, Chinyanga was arrested on February 25 last year by officers from the London Metropolitan Counter Terrorism Command and appeared in court last month.

UK media reported that last week that Chinyanga had appeared briefly at the Old Bailey.

His preparatory hearing is set for May 28, while January 10, 2022 is the provisional trial date.

During last week’s preliminary hearing, Chinyanga only confirmed his name, address and date of birth.

The online videos were posted on Facebook in December 2019.

The videos encouraged viewers to burn down petrol stations and businesses in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare to put “pressure” on the government led by Zanu-PF’s Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The matter was reported to the UK authorities, resulting in Chinyanga’s arrest.

In Zimbabwe, The Herald reported that Chinyanga had had previous brushes with the law.

In 2015, he was arrested and detained at London’s Charing Cross police station for being part of a group that held an illegal demonstration at the Zimbabwean embassy.

According to media reports at the time, Chinyanga was questioned about trespassing and illegally entering the Zimbabwean embassy three times in less than three months.

Chinyanga was also detained for resisting arrest when he was picked up at the time.