Whilst the column was camped in the vicinity of Rorke's Drift, five Native prisoners were shot when attempting to escape from custody. The case formed the subject of inquiry, first by a Military Court of Inquiry, then by Mr. Justice Beaumont (now Sir William Beaumont, K.C.M.G.) of the Supreme Court, on a complaint by the Bishop of Zululand that the men had been "taken out after their arrival at the camp near Rorke's Drift and deliberately shot." The allegations, after being fully examined, were found to be not proved, although the Commissioner considered the Bishop was amply justified in taking the action he did.
After the disaffection in Mapumulo and adjoining districts had been finally dealt with, there remained but two tribes to consider, viz. those of the brothers Tilonko and Sikukuku, living near Mid-Illovo. The former and more important Chief was ordered to appear before the Minister for Native Affairs in Pietermaritzburg. This he did on the 23rd July. After denying the charges brought against him, he was served with a summons to stand his trial on the 30th, and then permitted to return to his tribe. The summons was obeyed.
It was subsequent to this incident that the Government came to the decision to demobilize, as already narrated. Owing, however, to the fact that the unrest had not entirely died out, and that certain clearing-up operations might require military assistance, it was resolved that a composite regiment, consisting of about 600 men, made up almost entirely of special service men, should be enrolled and stationed in Mapumulo division or wherever else might be desirable. The actual formation of the regiment was, however, rendered unnecessary owing to work done during August by R.H., by three special service squadrons, 139, 84 and 40 strong,—the first (consisting of N.C.) at Mapumulo, under Capt. J.W.V. Montgomery; the second, under Capt. E. Simkins, at Tongaat; the third, at Krantzkop and, later, Nkandhla, under Lieut. G.E. Blaker,—and by N.R. and N.N.H. The first-named corps, again commanded by Royston, visited various Chiefs' wards in the neighbourhoods of Krantzkop, Nkandhla and Qudeni, that is, on the Tugela side of those mountains. During such demonstrations, neither Natives nor their property were interfered with in any way. Lists of outstanding rebels were readily obtained from each Chief and special efforts were made to bring about early surrenders. Royston addressed several large gatherings of Natives at different places. The tone of his remarks on each occasion was everything that could have been desired, and helped materially in causing the people to return to their several customary avocations. The speedy manner in which the lately disturbed areas assumed their normal condition, as well as the eagerness displayed by the great majority of Natives to hand over the rebels, must be attributed in no small degree to the exertions of this regiment.
A detachment of 50 R.H. under the command of Lieut.-Col. B. Crompton (N.C.), D.S.O., operated independently of the regiment, by direction of the Commandant, in the Noodsberg district between the 5th July and the 9th September. The country about the Great Noodsberg was driven with the assistance of Native levies, viz. 130 from Chiefs Swaimana and Mdungazwe, and 500 from Sobuza. The detachment rejoined the regiment at Pietermaritzburg on the 9th September.
Montgomery's men reached Mapumulo on the 11th August. In addition to guarding prisoners, gaol and supplies, the Umvoti and Tugela valleys were regularly patrolled, with the assistance of Native levies. Several important captures of rebels were effected. The squadron, understaffed as regards officers, performed its various duties in a very satisfactory manner. It was disbanded on the 12th September.
Simkins carried out patrols in the Tongaat district, took charge of prisoners, and discharged other similar duties.
Blaker's squadron, which contained N.C. men and ex-members of other corps, performed useful work at Krantzkop, and, along with Z.M.R. under Capt. Flindt, at Nkandhla. At the latter place, it and Z.M.R. co-operated with R.H. in Mfongozi valley. Disbandment took place simultaneously with R.H., Montgomery's squadron, and details of the active Militia.
And so it happened that, by the 12th September, there being no recrudescences of the Rebellion, Royston's Horse, Natal Carbineers, Natal Native Horse, Natal Rangers[298] and details had been disbanded. Such work, e.g. arresting criminals, as then remained to be done was within the power of the ordinary police to perform.
It has been observed that, with the surrender of Tilonko, the torch of Rebellion was regarded as finally extinguished. This, in fact, was the case. Curious that on the very day this Chief was on his way to Pietermaritzburg (23rd July), the light of a far more important man was flickering out at Empandhleni. This was none other than the veteran Chief Sigananda, who, forced to rebel,—as he plainly hinted at his trial, by Dinuzulu and Mankulumana's attitude towards Bambata,—had been the cause of so much trouble at Nkandhla. Although treated as a first-class offender, supplied during his thirty-eight days' imprisonment with whatever he required in the way of food, clothing and other comforts, the old man was unable, at the age of 96, to adapt himself to changed conditions of living. He was cheerful and communicative to the last, and in full possession of all his faculties. On more than one occasion, he narrated wonderful experiences gone through by him in earlier days. Among these, was the massacre of Piet Retief and party in 1838 at Mgungundhlovu, when Sigananda had himself actively participated. The glee with which the old man told of his King's triumph, wholly regardless of the fiendishly treacherous manner in which it had been accomplished, served to throw a lurid light on the true Zulu character when called on to deal with a supposed enemy.