Mpande's - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

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relations between Natal and KwaZulu. This was endorsed by Alexander
Forbes, one ofthe traders:
"The wagons were plundered and the
cattle stolen from an island in the river
which being much nearer the Natal bank
than the Zulu country would be British
territory. I am quite certain that unless
some notice is taken of our losses the
peace of the colony will be endangered
both from Zulus and our native kaffirs.
Their ideas of right and wrong are not
sufficiently clear and they will attribute
our silence to fear and will become bold
accordingly. "53
Mpande sent a message to Lieutenant-Governor Scott that Cetshwayo had
expressed wiJlingness to compensate traders who had lost property at
Ndondakusuka. Cetshwayo had already attended to the complaint of a
trader (Johnstone), near Rev. Schroeder's mission station, and ordered
compensation for his losses. 54 The commissioners had agreed with the
views expressed by some traders, viz. that the safety and peace of the
Colony ofNatal was likely to be endangered if no notice was taken ofthe
loss of cattle." What could be noted as dramatic, however, was John
Dunn's change of allegiance to Cetshwayo and moving into the Zulu
53
54
"
Ibid..: Statement by Alexander Forbes. 13"' January 1857, p. 79: S. .A. 1/6/2, lA.:
Second letter, Fynn to Shepstone. 3 February 1857: W.B. Tayler: "Sir George Grey.
South Africa and the Imperial Military Burden. 1855 - 1860". The Historical Journal,
Vol. XIV, p. 590.
Ibid., Mpande to Seon, 11 th February 1857, p. 88.
Ibid., Repon ofCommission to investigate the traders' claims. 17 th January 1857. p. 85.