Mpande's - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

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The first precautionary measure to curb the influx was taken in February
1840 when the Volksraad resolved, on the recommendation of landdrost
lP. Zietsman, that all roaming Zulus and other natives should be grouped
in five families each and settled as farm labourers.':!:! The Commandant-
General would, assisted by a commando, ensure the implementation ofthe
resolution and defaulters caught would be sentenced to six months hard
labour. The co-operation ofthe Zulu king was obtained to curb the influx.
This resolution was also aimed at controlling cattle theft and loafing. m
On 2 August 1841 the Volksraad resolved that all Zulus within the
Voortrekker republic, who were not employed on farms, be moved to an
area opposite the Mzinyathi or between Mthamvuna and Mzimvubu
Rivers. l24 Those areas had enough grazing for their cattle and ample
firewood. They could locally rule themselves, but as "subjects" of the
Republic. A Voortrekker agent had to oversee their affairs l2S Shortly
before the execution of this plan, the second occupation of Natal by the
British took place. lt was this intended move ofthe Zulus which was used
as a pretext for the prompted British occupation of Natal. According to
Governor Sir George Napier, this re-settlement of Zulus would threaten
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I2S
G.M. Theal: History ofSouth Afric:a, p. 398; C. Jeppe: The Kaleidoscopic Transvaal,
pp. 37 - 42; H.B. Thorn: Geloftekerk, p. 86.
G.S. Preller: Amiries Pretorius, pp. 128-30; JA.! Agar-Hamilton: The alive Policy of
the Voortrekkers, p. 128.
De Natalier, 5 February 1840, p. 4; G.M. TheaJ: History ofSouth Afric:a, pp. 398-99.
JR Sullivan: The ative Policv ofSir Theophilus Shepstone, p. 19; W.M. MacMillan:
Bantu. Beer and Briton - the making ofthe South African native proble!!1, p. 179.