Mpande's - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

In June 1843 Mpande realised that the influx of Zulu refugees into Natal
weakened his authority. He requested the British to send the refugees and
their cattle back to KwaZulu. The British ignored Mpande's plea and the
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request by the Voortrekkers that Zulu refugees be kept in locations. Next
Mpande turned to the Voortrekkers who still remained in Natal and both
parties agreed that Zulu refugees caused displeasure for their
administrations. In 1840 there were only about 2 000 - 3 000 Zulu
refugees in Natal, but by 1843 they had increased to no less than 50000.
The Zulu king denied that he had given up the area between Thukela and
Mzinyathi Rivers to the British.
Mpande wanted to pursue a moderate and more peaceful diplomacy. He
welcomed the Voortrekkers as a buffer between his kingdom and the
British. To determine the border between the Voortrekkers and the Zulus,
Mpande sent a few of his headmen to the Voortrekkers. It was agreed
that the whole area up to the Mzinyathi River would be occupied by the
Voortrekkers. However, the British lieutenant governor Benjamin Pine
viewed Mpande as a monarch with a double-agenda. He believed that
Mpande promoted his own case with the ulterior object of creating
dissension between the Voortrekkers and the British. Mpande wished to
enter into a defensive military treaty with the Voortrekkers. This was
prompted by Zulu refugees in Natal who wanted Mpande deposed and