Mpande's - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

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territory!" A military post, proposed by Haniing for the protection of the
Voortrekkers could be established in that region. On 16 November 1847
Boshoff arrived on the farm of Abraham Spies to help taking down the
oaths. But the Klip River Voortrekkers were prepared to rather leave the
area immediately, instead of taking oaths. This they were prepared to do
even if it meant leaving their harvests on the fields.25-l They notified
Mpande about their decision through Gert van Niekerk and made him to
understand that they were compelled to take oaths to the British. 255
Boshoff viewed the mission ofGert van Niekerk in a serious light and was
convinced that the influence ofKlip River Voortrekkers such as Spies and
de Lange on Mpande was much bigger than the Natal authorities had
realised.:!» The Magistrate became even more upset when van Niekerk
returned with a message from Mpande that the king loathed the British
actions and was preparing an army to clear the country between Klip
River and the Mzimvubu. 257 It upset Boshoff so much that he summoned a
military force of 100 men to prevent any attack. He made arrangements
to have A.T. Spies apprehended. 258 The situation worsened when
255
25;
Ibid., p. 165.
S. .A. 113122: J. . Boshoffto Moodie, 20 November 1847.
e.0. 179120, P.RO.: J.N. Boshoffto Moodie, 24 ovember 1847.
M.M. Behn: The KJip River Insurrection, 1847. (Unpublished MA Dissertation,
Natal, 1932), p. 43.
W.e. Holden: The Colonv of atal, p. 158: e.0. 179120, P.RO.: Umbokwarna to T.
Shepstone, I December 1847.
H.Stander: Die Verhouding tussen die Boere en Zoeloe tot die dood van Mpande in
1872, p. 300.