Mpande's - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

-188-
Mzinyathi fled to the Drakensberg (uKhahlamba), while the Utrecht
Voortrekkers retreated to a laager.':!9
Shepstone took defensive steps by ordering the Resident Magistrates to
exercise the strictest surveillance over all refugees. He made
arrangements with the Border Agent, Walmsley, to send spies across the
Thukela to ascertain Cetshwayo's intentions 1JO Shepstone, he claimed,
was not to threaten the would-be king, but to stop border violations.
Cetshwayo withdrew into the interior and prepared his own invasion
force. '3I Shepstone admitted that he could not prevent the would-be king
from resuming hostilities. The British Colonial establishment in Natal
lacked the means to control Cetshwayo's offensives. The High
Commissioner, Sir George Grey, was incensed that the British had even
considered becoming entangled in Zulu matters.'" He cautioned Natal
authorities to merely exert their influence in KwaZulu without running
risks of incurring responsibilities or being drawn into extra-territorial
hostilities.' 33 In June 1859 Cetshwayo apologised to the British in Natal
129
,)()
131
132
133
S.N.A. 113/8: Rorke to KeIJy, encl. in KeIJy to Shepstone, II April 1859.
S.N.A. 1/817, N.A., Walrnsley to Hepstone, 9 May 1859, encl. Shepstone to Walmsley,
19 May 1859.
e.0. 179/5, P.R.O.: Shepstone to lW. Shepstone, 11 April 1859.
S.N.A. 1/1/9, N.A.: J.W. Shepstone to Shepstone, 13 & 19 May and 3 June 1859.
Le. Cordeur: Relations, p. 88; S.N.A. 1/1/9. N.A., Grey to Sent!, 23 December 1858.