Businessman who shoot dead his girlfriend to be buried at his rural home today

Harare businessman Irvine Mereki who shot dead his long-time girlfriend Clariss Chopamba before turning the gun on himself will be buried today at his rural home in Chiweshe, while Chopamba's burial will also take place today at Warren Hills Cemetery.

Mereki (32) who was also one of the directors of the now defunct Lengthens Football Club shot Chopamba at the height of a domestic dispute on Monday night at a house in Avondale.

According to a family spokesperson Mr Amon Chakaodza, Mereki would be buried today.

"We have taken his body from Nyaradzo Funeral Parlour and we are likely to bury him tomorrow (today) in Chiweshe," Mr Chakaodza said.

Reporters visited Mereki's house in the Grange yesterday, a few relatives were gathered outside.

The Herald also visited a house belonging to Chopamba's relative in Borrowdale West where mourners are gathered.

Her family members refused to disclose any information, saying they wanted the funeral to be private.

"This is a private gathering and we don't want the Press. We are mourning our relative. We will call you when the time comes," said one of Chopamba's relatives.

Sources said the Mereki family was assisting the Chopamba family with funeral costs and they were expected to pay the bride price.

Workers from Nyaradzo Funeral Parlour were busy pitching a tent and arranging chairs at the funeral wake for Chopamba which some relatives said had been brought by Mereki's relatives.

According to police, Mereki and Chopamba had a five-year relationship in which they had a son together. Mereki was also legally married to another woman.

Sources said matters between the two turned nasty when Chopamba indicated that she was no longer interested in continuing with the relationship.