HARARE, Zimbabwe - Government opponents said Monday that the government forced the family of an opposition militant shot dead by police to bury him at their rural home to avoid demonstrations at a planned ceremony in the capital. The government insisted, however, that Gift Tandare -- killed as police disbanded a prayer meeting organized by ZimbabweÂ’s political opposition -- was buried in the countryside at the familyÂ’s request and that the state assisted with the funeral arrangements and expenses.Opposition spokesman Eliphas Mokunoweshure called the government explanation nonsense.Â’ Members of the opposition said the Tandare family was coerced by state intelligence agents into holding the funeral in the Mount Darwin district, 95 miles northeast of Harare.
| Bob realizes how dangerous a public funeral could be. |
Hundreds of mourners and democracy activists have gathered at TandareÂ’s home in the Harare township of Glen View since his death March 11 when police crushed the prayer meeting. On March 13, police tried to quell mourners blocking streets and beating drums around TandareÂ’s home in the township, an opposition stronghold. Two were injured by police gunfire.