Hundreds of mourners yesterday gathered for the funeral of Andries Tatane, who was killed during a service-delivery protest in Ficksburg in the Free State recently.

The 33-year-old father of two died after being assaulted and shot by police - reportedly when he challenged them to spray him with a water cannon, instead of a group of elderly people.

The community were protesting against an inadequate water supply, sewage spillages and the poor state of roads in Meqheleng township.

Yesterday's funeral, attended by various politicians, including the Free State MEC for co-operative governance, Mamiki Qabathe, and the Democratic Alliance's Wilmot James, was held at a stadium to accommodate the many mourners.

The president of COPE, Mosiuoa Lekota, addressed the mourners, saying: "We will not rest, we will not be quiet. There will be more people like Tatane who will rise and fight for proper services."

Community leader Tseliso Mpekoa said: "Tatane's blood was not spilt for nothing." He added that the town's management must "go".

Allegations of corruption and nepotism against the town's municipal managers will form part of an investigation commissioned by Qabathe.

A relative of Tatane, Sondi Matsepe, said the response by the community had been encouraging to the family during this difficult time.

"Even though there's this void that his passing away has created, the quick arrest of the police that are accused of killing him gives us hope and shows that God is powerful," Matsepe said.

Six policemen have been arrested in connection with Tatane's death.

The police's Independent Complaints Directorate earlier confirmed that Tatane had also been shot during the attack.

Sibongile Besane, secretary of the ANC in the province, told mourners: "We are in shame as the ANC because, under democracy, people have a right to protest."

Qabathe has appointed two teams of senior officials - one to address service-delivery concerns in the area and another to tackle allegations of bad management.

According to Mpekoa, the community's demands include the removal of 17 senior managers and that the council be placed under administration.

Tatane, who ran a private educational academy, is survived by his widow and two children.