Man jailed for life for murdering 28-year-old woman in Tredworth in 2024

A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his partner in front of members of the public in Gloucester last year.

Tanaka Zivanai, aged 32 and of Dora Walk, Tredworth had previously admitted to the murder of 28-year-old Zanele Sibanda following an investigation by the Major Crime Investigation Team.

During a hearing at Bristol Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 23 January) it was heard that Zivanai attacked Zanele in the street at the junction of Paul Street and Tarrington Road in Tredworth at around 1.45am on 27 August 2024.

Zivanai was arrested at the scene and despite the best efforts of the emergency services, Zanele was pronounced dead by paramedics.

Zivanai appeared at Bristol Crown court via a video link from prison on 27 November 2024 where he pleaded guilty to Zanele’s murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

During the court hearing the prosecutor explained the relationship between Zivanai and Zanele.

It was said that Zivanai was a very jealous and controlling man who was abusive and aggressive towards Zanele and would frequently falsely accuse her of infidelity.

He would argue with Zanele, she could be heard crying and screaming with objects heard breaking in their flat.

A neighbour told investigating officers that she was so concerned about Zanele, she gave her the number of a domestic abuse support service.

In the week before she was murdered, a male co-worker gave Zanele a lift home on two occasions. Both times she asked him to drop her off a few streets away from her flat. He believed this was to stop Zivanai from seeing her with another man and flying into a jealous rage.

On the day before she was killed, Zanele went to a friend’s house after work and received constant phone and video calls from Zivanai while she was there.

During one of the video calls, which was on speakerphone, Zivanai shouted insults and screamed abuse at Zanele and when he saw there was a man in the room, he demanded she left and came home.

He then threatened to kill her if she returned to their flat.

Her friends tried to persuade Zanele to stay the night, but she declined the offer; saying that she was used to Zivanai’s behaviour and that he would calm down when she got home.

However, when she was on her way back, he called her again and repeated his earlier threat, shouting: “If you come back, I’ll kill you”.

On the evening of 27 August 2024 the couple were seen and heard by neighbours having an argument about a visa outside their flat, with Zivanai angry at the thought of having to return to his home country. Zivanai was born in Zimbabwe, and Zanele was originally from South Africa.

During the argument, which lasted for many hours, Zivanai was angry and accused Zanele of having a sexual relationship with someone else.

At around 11.40pm, he was captured on CCTV shouting at someone on his mobile phone whilst carrying a bottle of alcohol. He asked the person on the phone if they had been with Zanele, before threatening to kill them.

At around 1.30am Zivanai assaulted Zanele in the street, causing her to fall to the ground and she appeared to be unconscious. He then returned to the flat to arm himself with a knife, returned to where she lay in the road and stabbed her multiple times.

When police officers arrived a few minutes later, Zivanai was laying next to Zanele’s body. He was arrested and subsequently charged with her murder.

Emergency services attempted to resuscitate Zanele, but she died at the scene.

A post-mortem revealed she had received multiple stab and slash wounds.

In mitigation, the court heard Zivanai, of previous good character, was genuinely remorseful for his actions. His Honour Judge Hart also took his guilty plea into consideration as well as his poor mental health at the time of the incident and troubled background.

Upon sentencing Zivanai, Judge Hart said: “You were angry and aggressive, and she [Zanele] was cowed by your behaviour.

“You appear to have become convinced that she was in some form of relationship, perhaps an affair, with another man.

“That was, as far as the evidence indicates, a wholly groundless suspicion and that form of jealousy appears to have been a feature of much of your relationship.

“You attacked Ms Sibanda with a knife which you had brought with you to that location from your home.

“The circumstances of this poor young woman’s killing were horrific.”

Zivanai was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Zanele and must serve a minimum of 20 years and 10 months before he will be considered for parole. He was also handed two years for possession of a bladed item in a public place which will run concurrently.

Following sentencing Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Usher from the Major Crime investigation Team said: “Tanaka Zivanai is an extremely controlling and dangerous individual who brutally attacked his partner Zanele in the street.

"We suspect Zivanai had his status in the UK threatened which lead him to carry out this savage and pre-meditated act of extreme violence.

It took place in front of a number of witnesses and the impact it has had on them - and the wider community - has been significant.

"Zanele’s murder has also had a devastating impact on her family, and has left two young children aged two and nine, without a mother after Zanele was so cruelly taken away from them.

"My thoughts remain with all of Zanele’s family members at this incredibly difficult time.

“I welcome the sentence handed to Zivanai and hope that Zanele’s loved ones can now find some closure as they try and rebuild their lives without her.”

Professional support is available for anyone who has an abusive partner, former partner or relative – contact Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service on 01452 726 570 or email: [email protected]. More information is available on their website: https://www.gdass.org.uk/