Zimbabwean man stabbed estranged wife to death in 'frenzied attack'

A ZIMBABWEAN man stabbed his wife to death in London's Uxbridge area in a "frenzied attack" which left the blade of a knife embedded in her head.

Mechanic Gibson Mazikana, 41, was found guilty of the murder of 42-year-old Emily Munemo at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday.

Speaking after the jury's decision, Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Piscopo said: "Mazikana stabbed his estranged wife to death in what has been described as a 'frenzied attack' while she was in what should have been the safety of her own home.

"The violence he inflicted that day and the evidence against him meant that there was only one possible outcome.

"Emily had devoted her life to looking after others as a nurse and Mazikana has robbed others of her kindness."

The couple were both born in Zimbabwe and Munemo came to the UK in 1999, reports Get West London.

Mazikana followed her a few years later, but by 2012 their relationship had deteriorated and he was seeing another woman in Birmingham, jurors were told.

A Met Police spokesman said officers were called at approximately 11.10am on Friday January 30 to reports of a woman injured at an address in Collingwood Road, Uxbridge.

Emily Munemo was found having suffered stab injuries and was pronounced dead at 12.22pm.

A post-mortem exam gave the cause of death as a stab wound to the chest.

The trial heard how the Mazikana stabbed his wife to death two weeks after he was cleared of beating her up.

Anthony Orchard QC, prosecuting, said: "On that Friday morning shortly after 9am, the defendant had gone to Emily Munemo's home at Collingwood Road, Uxbridge, and attacked her.

"The defendant used two knives to inflict multiple wounds during what appears to have been a sustained attack on Emily Munemo.

"The reason he used two knives is because one broke, leaving the knife blade embedded in her scalp.

"The handle was to be found at the side of her body. The stabbing bore all the hallmarks of a frenzied attack.

"After the attack the defendant told friends he had been involved in a ‘fight' with Emily that morning but did not reveal to them the extent of that fight."

On November 23 2013, police were called to the matrimonial home in Collingwood Road and Munemo alleged that Mazikana had assaulted her. During his arrest, Mazikana attacked a police officer, the court heard.

"As a result of that arrest he moved out of Collingwood Road, solicitors were instructed by both and a non-molestation occupational order was applied for by her," said Orchard.

Mazikana was acquitted of assaulting his wife but was convicted of assaulting the officer, the court was told.

He was due to be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on the day of the alleged attack on Munemo.

"Our case is that he blamed Emily Munemo for his conviction," said Orchard.

"There is no doubt the defendant was very wound up about his domestic situation.

"So much so that approximately two weeks before the murder he discussed killing Emily with a friend."

The court was told that Mazikana's friend thought he was joking but the following day received a text message asking ‘any luck?'

Munemo's body was found in the living room by her lodger Sonia Sola.

Orchard said: "She thought Emily was asleep. She completed some jobs around the kitchen before going into the living room.

"When she did so she found Emily lying on her stomach, motionless on the floor in front of her computer.

"Emily's body was covered in blood. Sonia thought the attacker might still in the house and ran from the house screaming."

Mazikana was arrested on Monday February 2 and subsequently charged with murder.

He will be sentenced on Thursday.