Mpande's - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

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The fast diminishing herds of cattle in KwaZulu was of great concern as
Mpande slowly lost authorityl7J This was further exacerbated by the
actions ofthe Swazi king Sobhuza IT. He attacked Mpande's outposts and
looted all the cattle. 174
Subsequently Mpande informed the Voortrekkers of his planned
retaliation against the Swazis. The Voortrekker Commandant General
A.H. Potgieter assured Mpande of their neutrality in any battle between
Zulus and Swazis 175 However, he warned Mpande that the murder of
Swazi women and children would be unacceptable to the Voortrekkers.
He further stressed that the Voortrekkers and the Swazis retained friendly
relations. "6 Whilst the relations between the Voortrekkers and Mpande
were cordial, Zulu refugees caused displeasure for both parties In 1840
there were some 2 000 or 3000 Zulu refugees in Natal and by 1843 they
increased to 50 000 177 Five years later this number doubled.
In December 1845, many dissatisfied Voortrekkers left for the interior,
causing great concern to the local British administrators. m In May 1846,
Sir Peregrine Maitland, the Cape Governor, advised the Natal authorities
115
116
117
11"
119
120
G.s. Preller. Andries Pretori\!S, p. 477.
J.R. Sullivan: The Native PolicY of Sir Theophilus Shepstone, p. 55.
J.J. van Heerden: VoortrekkerWetgewing, p. 61: A.J. du Plessis: Die Republiek Natalia p. 146.
G.M. Theal: History of South Africa. p. 457.
A.J. du Plessis: Die Republiek Natalia pp. 151 - 152..
E.R Brookes: This History ofNative Policy in South Africa from 1830 to the present day. p.
81.