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.