Mpande's - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

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that following the outbreak of the Zulu civil war Natal absorbed between
10 000 and 15 000 new Zulus 1l6 Shepstone accepted that Natal would
accept the refugees, but announced their apprenticeship to white farmers.
He could only notify KwaZulu's white traders that it was unsafe for them
to remain in Zulu country."l
In an attempt to placate the British and to frustrate Hamu, Cetshwayo sent
emissaries to present Scott with a gift of 200 oxen. The emissaries
announced that the would-be king had gathered all the cattle to
compensate the traders, and that he wanted a British Resident to reside
with him IJ8 They also claimed that such a Resident could convey
messages and give advice to Cetshwayo. At the same time Mpande's
emissaries reported to Shepstone that Cetshwayo was plotting his death."'
As a result, Shepstone intensified his support for Mpande. He declined
Cetshwayo's gift of200 oxen and signalled that he recognised Mpande as
the sole Zulu authority. 1:0 Shepstone said nothing about the requested
"White Chief', but chided Cetshwayo for driving thousands of Mpande's
subjects into Natal. He claimed the cattle offered to the traders were
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S.N.A. 1/1/7: Sheptone to Resident magistrate Durhan, IQ August 1857.
S.N.A. 1/3/6: Blaine to Shepstone, 29 July 1857; S.N.A. 111/7, N.A., Shepstone to
Resident Magistrate UmhJali, Thukela Division, County Victori