A dark cloud hangs over Guinea Fowl High School in Gweru following the deaths of a student teacher and her suspected killer.
The grim sequence of events began when Simbarashe Dzimba, a security guard at Guinea Fowl High School, discovered Tsanana’s body at approximately 8 pm in a room on the school premises. He immediately alerted the authorities. National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the incident, stating: “The body was found on 25 January at about 8 pm. The deceased was identified as Keener Tsanana, who was a student teacher at Guinea Fowl High School.” He further detailed the condition of the body: “Tsanana was found dead with a swollen forehead and bruises all over the body.”
Police investigations quickly focused on Zireva, a student at Hillside Teachers College in Bulawayo and Tsanana’s boyfriend. According to police reports, Tsanana was last seen alive on Friday, January 24th, in Zireva’s company as they entered the school premises together.
The room where Tsanana’s body was discovered was a house typically used by a school maintenance worker, which Tsanana had rented for the weekend to ensure privacy during Zireva’s visit. This arrangement was necessary as student teachers usually occupy rooms attached to the school dormitories, and Tsanana had vacated her assigned room for the weekend. Adding to the suspicion, police discovered Zireva’s personal belongings in the room. Commissioner Nyathi highlighted this crucial detail, stating: “Investigations revealed that the deceased was seen on 24 January 2025 in the company of one Valentine Tamuka, a student at Hillside Teachers College in Bulawayo, who is believed to be her boyfriend, entering the school premises… Police also discovered Zireva’s belongings in the room where the body was discovered.”
Following Tsanana’s death, Commissioner Nyathi had appealed directly to the public for information leading to the arrest of the suspected boyfriend. “Valentine’s whereabouts are currently unknown. We are appealing for information concerning his whereabouts and may it be passed to any Police station or police officers on patrol,” he said at the time.
The search for Zireva ended this week when his decomposed remains were found just outside the school’s perimeter. Midlands police spokesman Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed that they are treating Zireva’s death as a suicide. Police believe Zireva hanged himself shortly after Tsanana’s death.
Police believe Tsanana died a violent death based on injuries noted on her body, including a swollen forehead and multiple bruises.
Zireva had previously completed his teaching practice at Guinea Fowl High School, and had returned to Hillside Teachers College to finish his studies. Tsanana, a science teacher, was herself a student at Mkoba Teachers College in Gweru. The proximity of their colleges and their shared connection to Guinea Fowl High School adds another layer of complexity to the investigation.
