What’s good for the goose must be good for the gander
If the arrest of Chinyanga was justified in Britain for a similar offence committed by Sikhala in Zimbabwe, then the arrest of Sikhala should also be justified. Everyone knows that Sikhala is not in prison because of his political affiliation, but he is in remand as he is being tried for inciting violence
Lbased AST week, CCC activist a United and Kingdom science teacher, William Chinyanga, was found guilty of inciting terror in Zimbabwe and is now staring at a 10-year jail term.
Circumstances are that in December 2019, Chinyanga of Archway, North London, incited his over 7 000 Facebook followers to make Zimbabwe ungovernable by participating in acts of terror meant to cause commotion and dethrone the elected Government of Zimbabwe.
Chinyanga, in his little wisdom, thought that the message of terror would excite the British, but he was surprised seeing anti-terror police descending on him and charging him for inciting violence.
Because of its various counter terrorism legislations such as the Terror Act, the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act as well as the Prevention of Terrorism Act, the UK does not allow anyone who is a resident in that country to spread hate speech, incite violence or threaten someone’s life.
As much as there was a lot of social media protest concerning Chinyanga’s arrest, the UK court went ahead, tried him and found him guilty of inciting violence and is now waiting to do his time.
Chinyanga could have committed the offence thinking that, as an opposition member, he was immune to UK’s laws against terror.
He may also have falsely thought that he was going to get applause and be regarded as a hero for calling for the unlawful removal of the elected Government of President Mnangagwa.
But according to Professor Lovemore Madhuku in his book, “An Introduction to Zimbabwean Law (2010)”, law is law regardless of one’s societal status, political affi liation, gender or otherwise.
Ironically, the same British government that found Chinyanga guilty of inciting violence was crying more than the bereaved when CCC legislator, Job Sikhala, was arrested for inciting violence in Nyatsime during ing Ali.
Ali’s ex- boyfriend admitted to the police that he murdered her due to their differences when he was arrested by the police and is now awaiting his day in court.
The UK and its surrogates such as Amnesty International Zimbabwe, were on the forefront saying that the arrest of Sikhala was revealing of the “politicised justice system in Zimbabwe”.
They further claimed that the detention of Sikhala was unjust and abusive and urged his immediate release from remand prison, despite him committing the same crime as that of Chinyanga — inciting terror.
What is bad for the UK government must also be bad for the Zimbabwe Government. In fact, to use an old adage, what is good for the goose must also be good for the gander. If the arrest of Chinyanga was justified in Britain for a similar offence committed by Sikhala in Zimbabwe, then the arrest of Sikhala should also be justified.
Everyone knows that Sikhala is not in prison because of his political affiliation, but he is in remand as he is being tried for inciting violence and it is more respectable to leave the law to take its course.
Have those who are saying that Sikhala is being persecuted suddenly forgotten the legislator’s speech at Ali’s funeral when he declared that “muno munoita zvimbokoma muno” (there will be fighting in this area). into. allegedly incited people to engage in acts of terror that left dozens injured and others homeless in Nyatsime? Have they forgotten how Nyatsime was turned into a war zone where houses were burnt and destroyed after his inciting speech?
Do they want that a man, who caused psychological trauma and physical harm to Nyatsime residents, to be released from prison without trial? Those calling for the release of both Chinyanga and Sikhala must be reminded of what former American jurist, Joseph Bradley, once said about the operation of the law.
Bradley said: “Society cannot exist without law. Law is the bond of society: that which makes it, that which preserves it and keeps it together. It is, in fact, the essence of civil society.”
Bradley’s sentiments were echoed by John Locke who said that law must be respected and honoured as without its full implementation, humans will be more of animals and they will be no freedom in society.
Therefore, the arrest of Sikhala as well as that of Chinyanga should be applauded as it is meant to promote peace in society.
Again, the UK should know that as much as they despise terror, the Zimbabwean Government also does the same.
They should further know that Zimbabwe is a sovereign country with a competent justice system that is capable of delivering justice to Sikhala at the right time.
The Zimbabwean courts must not be arm-twisted into making a hurried judgement on Sikhala’s case as the case should be thoroughly looked e least the UK government and its surrogates can do is to be frank with Sikhala and tell him that crime does not pay as all law breakers will be arrested and charged accordingly.
Again, if Chinyanga could be tried and jailed because he was found guilty for same offence committed by Sikhala, then why should Sikhala go scot free?
Sikhala should be tried without fear or favour, and without the British and their allies and local surrogates trying to interfere with the course of justice.