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Police incident round-up: man jailed for life for murdering 28-year-old woman, incidents of anti-social behaviour and violence

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Here is a round-up of the latest news from police incidents across Gloucestershire as of Monday, January 27.

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 on 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: support@gdass.org.uk. More information is available on their website: https://www.gdass.org.uk/

A man from Gloucester has been served with a civil injunction order following incidents of anti-social behaviour and violence which took place at his home address.

Mansel Marshall, aged 76 and of Wellington Street in Gloucester, was given an Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction (ASBI) at Cheltenham and Gloucester County Court.

The judge granting the injunction heard how 56 crimes have been reported at Marshall’s home address in the past year. These include violent offences such as assaults, drug use, hiding drug dealers and allowing sex work to take place, all of which had caused repetitive alarm, distress and harassment to neighbouring residents in one way or another.

Neighbouring residents have also tolerated threats of violence, shouting, swearing, fights in the street and regularly being approached and asked for drugs by visitors coming and going from Marshall’s address. 

The injunction against Marshall forbids him from:

  1. Engaging in conduct which causes or is capable of causing alarm or harassment or distress to any person within the City of Gloucester
  2. Using or threatening to use violence towards any person within the City of Gloucester
  3. Using foul or abusive language or gestures towards, or in the hearing or sight of, any person living in or visiting the City of Gloucester at any time
  4. Keeping or having any illegal drugs or any drug accessories e.g., syringes or bongs in or on the property or allowing the said drugs or accessories to be brought onto the premises by any other person
  5. Being in possession of drugs of any class or any related drugs paraphernalia in a public place
  6. Allowing access or entry to any part of the property save for the emergency services, local authority, health practitioners, support services and the Landlord

The injunction, which was served against Marshall on 28 November 2024, is in place until 4pm on 28 November 2025 and any breaches will result in Marshall being arrested.

PC Jonathan Hemming said: “Marshall and his address have caused untold distress to those affected for a number of years.

“This injunction will help to improve the quality of life for nearby residents and to protect those who are the most vulnerable in our communities.

“Police take all reports of anti-social behaviour seriously and will respond robustly to any issues reported to us.”

Solace Officer Joe Mullis added: “Marshall has been advised about his conduct and offered support but continued to repeatedly cause alarm, distress and harassment to local residents.  

“His complete disrespect for his neighbours, his wanton behaviour and criminal activities in the locality of his home has blighted the area of Wellington Street, Gloucester.   

“The ASBI granted by the court is a tool to curtail his behaviour and will provide well overdue respite to those residents and the local community. 

“It will also send a clear message to Marshall and those known to him that Solace and the police will not tolerate such activity and conduct.”

Anyone who witnesses Marshall breaching the order is asked to contact police on 101 or Solace on 01452 396396.

A man has been jailed after admitting breaching two separate restraining orders.

Ben Hughes, aged 28 and of Rhiw Road, Colwyn Bay, was sentenced when he appeared at Gloucester Crown Court on Thursday 23 January.

He had pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching a restraining order at a previous appearance last year.

The court heard that a variation of an existing restraining order was put in place last October, prohibiting Hughes from posting anything on social media which referenced the victim.

Within 24 hours, Hughes pinned a lengthy post and photos on Facebook referring to the woman.

Hughes, who was living in Gloucestershire at the time of the offences, also admitted breaching a restraining order against another victim.

He was sentenced to 12 months in prison for the first breach and the existing restraining order was extended from three to seven years.

He was given an addition 12 weeks in jail, to run consecutively, for the breach against the second victim.

In mitigation, Hughes was given credit for early guilty pleas. The court heard that he had been suffering with his mental health at the time.

Sentencing Hughes, His Honour Judge Rupert Lowe said: “You are intelligent, you had a great job and plenty of promise. But you now have 12 convictions, mostly for violence, criminal damage, harassment and breaches of orders against women. 

“I can tell that you have a very strong sense of injustice the way you sit there shaking your head. That is your problem, thinking you are right, when you are wrong.

“You have brought this on yourself, bringing terror to these two women.”

Detective Constable Tom Newrick said: “These two women have shown incredible bravery in coming forward and reporting these breaches.

“We would urge anyone who has experienced a breach of a restraining order to report them to us so that we can act.

“We take any breaches seriously and can put support in place to help protect victims.”

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: support@gdass.org.uk. More information is available on their website: https://www.gdass.org.uk/

To report a domestic abuse related incident call police on the non-emergency number 101. In an emergency, or if the incident is ongoing, always call 999.

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme gives any member of the public the right to ask the police if their partner may pose a risk to them. It is often called ‘Clare’s Law’ after the landmark case that led to it.

This scheme also allows a member of the public to make an enquiry into the partner of a close friend or family member. For more information on this visit: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/alpha2/request-information-under-clares-law/

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