Killed opposition militant buried 'quietly' in Zimbabwe

Government opponents in Zimbabwe today said the family of an opposition militant who was shot dead by police was forced to bury him at his rural home to avoid a ceremony in the capital that could have sparked demonstrations.

The government insisted, however, that Gift Tandare – killed as police crushed a prayer meeting organised by Zimbabwe’s political opposition – was buried in the countryside at the request of his family and that the state assisted with the funeral arrangements and expenses.

Opposition spokesman Eliphas Mokunoweshure described the government explanation as “nonsense”.

Members of the opposition alleged the Tandare family was coerced by state intelligence agents into allowing the funeral to be held in the Mount Darwin district, 95 miles north-east of Harare, fearing a burial scheduled in the capital today would cause protests.

State television said most of the funeral expenses were paid by the ruling party politician for Mount Darwin, Saviour Kasukuwere, a wealthy businessman. It denied Tandare’s body had been seized from a funeral home.

Hundreds of mourners and democracy activists have gathered at Tandare’s home in the Harare township of Glen View since his death on March 11 when police crushed a prayer meeting in the capital.

On March 13, police tried to quell restive mourners blocking streets and beating drums around Tandare’s home in the township, an opposition stronghold. Two were injured in police gunfire.

Witnesses reported mounting tension in Glen View today.

Nelson Chamisa, aide to the main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, was assaulted at Harare International Airport by alleged state agents using iron bars yesterday as he was leaving for Belgium to attend a meeting of the European Union and Africa Caribbean and Pacific group in Brussels.

Chamisa was admitted to hospital suffering from suspected head fractures.

The assault follows the re-arrests at the airport on Saturday of three opposition activists, who were allegedly assaulted along with Tsvangirai and Chamisa when police broke up the March 11 prayer meeting.