Mpande's - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

-172-
encouraging the Mthethwa revolt against the Zulu authority." West, to
ensure good relations with Mpande and control of arms in KwaZulu,
issued a regulation requiring the licensing of all traders. He also
threatened to revoke Toohey's title to his Natal farm." West adapted to
changed circumstances and asked Smith for permission to position a
British Resident in KwaZulu. Besides serving as a check on Mpande's
power, he argued, an agent could limit the number of refugees entering
Natal." After West's death, the Executive Council informed the Cape
Governor that it had postponed the Resident scheme.
It could be argued that the British Colonial establishment in Natal
regretted losing an opportunity to end the perceived Zulu menace. At the
time of border violations Sir Theophilus Shepstone had argued that
Natal's position would remain precarious so long as refugees continued to
cross the border. 74 He suggested that the only solution would be to topple
the arbitrary power of the Zulu king. For Shepstone, the Resident had to
be the vehicle through which this could be achieved. 75
11
74
75
SAAR N, West to Smith, 0.2, 12 January 1849, encl. in Smith to Grey, O. 36,5
February 1849, rn, pp. 95-6.
C.O. 179/5, P.R.O.: West to Smith, 0.36, 5 February 1849, pp. 18-8.
SAAR N, West to Smith, 0.4, 22 February 1849, IT, pp. 292-3.
S.N.A. 1I1111, N.A.: Moodie to Bird, 7 September 1849, encl. in Bird to Sbepstone, 11
September 1861, Minutes ofthe Executive Council, 9 August 1849 - message to
Mpande, 17 October 1849, Ibid, p.26.
SAAR N., Sbeptone to Moodie, 22 February 184·8,11, p.293, Evidence ofTheopllllus
Shepstone,25November 1852, Proceedings ofthe N.N.C., 1852-3, IT, p27.