Tragedy struck Guinea Fowl High School in Gweru this week with the discovery of the body of 21-year-old Keener Tsanana, a student teacher at the school.
Tsanana was found dead on Saturday, 25 January, at approximately 8 pm in a room on the school premises, sparking a police investigation that has named her boyfriend, Valentine Tamuka Zivera (27), as a person of interest.
The grim discovery was made by Simbarashe Dzimba, a security guard at the school, who immediately reported the matter to the police. 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 have revealed that Tsanana was last seen alive on Saturday, 24 January, in the company of her boyfriend, Zivera, a student at Hillside Teachers College in Bulawayo. The couple was seen entering the school premises together.
The room where Tsanana’s body was discovered is a house typically used by a school maintenance worker, which Tsanana had rented for the weekend to ensure privacy during Zivera’s visit. This was necessary as student teachers usually occupy rooms attached to the school dormitories. Tsanana had vacated her assigned room for the weekend.
Adding to the suspicion surrounding Zivera’s involvement, police discovered his personal belongings in the room where Tsanana’s body was found. 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.”
Zivera, who previously completed his teaching practice at Guinea Fowl High School, 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.
Crucially, Zivera’s current whereabouts are unknown, prompting a public appeal for information. Commissioner Nyathi appealed directly to the public: “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.”
