Archway teacher jailed for 'encouraging terrorism'

William Chinyanga, of Archway, live-streamed a number of speeches through his Facebook pages over two days in early December 2019, in protest of the current government in Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu–PF). 

In the speeches, he encouraged bombings and attacks on soldiers and police.

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The former part-time supply teacher in Ruislip, 52, was arrested on February 25, 2020, at his home on suspicion of encouraging terrorism.

William Chinyanga, 52, has been jailed (Image: Met Police)

In interview, he admitted to posting the videos.

Chinyanga was charged in January 2021 and found guilty of two counts of encouraging terrorist acts on November 15.

Appearing at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, 16 December, he was sentenced to three years in prison and an extended licence period of one year. 

Kingston Crown Court (Image: PA)

Commander Richard Smith, who leads the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “It was a report from a member of the public that brought Chinyanga’s speeches to the attention of police. That person did the right thing, and this case shows that we will follow up on all reports and take action when needed.

“We would strongly urge anyone who sees anything online which promotes terrorism to report it to police.

“Chinyanga sought to reach as wide an audience as possible when he took to social media to encourage violent action against the current government in his native Zimbabwe.

“Dangerous rhetoric of this nature can and does have harmful real-world consequences.”

He was acquitted of two further charges of encouraging terrorist acts.