[295] Colonel Bru-de-Wold resumed duty early in July.
[296] On the 30th July, Woolls-Sampson's column was taken over by Arnott, the former having been granted leave of absence.
[297] A mistake. Mackay, acting on advice received from the Commissioner, had already imposed a fine of five head of cattle for every rebel, when 312 cattle and 169 goats had been handed over by the Chief, in addition to thirty-three rebels. Matshana was, thereupon, given a complete discharge.
Because it was supposed Mackay had not properly dealt with the position, another column, seven days afterwards, invaded the district and swept up almost every beast it could find; and yet Matshana had kept in close touch with the authorities ever since Bambata's arrival at Nkandhla. Out of his many sons, five joined the rebels, whilst a number of people had gone from the tribe. These incidents were immediately reported to the Commissioner, the Chief urging that a striking example should be made of his rebels, beginning with his sons. As regards these defections, Matshana was no worse than the majority of the Nkandhla Chiefs, and not nearly so bad as some, e.g. Sigananda, Ndube and Mbuzo. But there is another and more telling consideration. "On Sunday evening (27th May)," says Leuchars' chief staff officer, Major (now Lieut.-Col.) S. Carter, "soon after we settled down in camp, a man came from Matshana ka Mondise, saying the Chief sent him to warn us to be particularly careful, as we were in a dangerous locality. The man was told to go back and thank Matshana for his warning. Next morning, after the fight was over (i.e. the battle of Mpukunyoni), two mounted messengers, ... arrived and said they had been sent by Matshana to congratulate Col. Leuchars on having defeated the enemy." There are other facts in connection with this matter, other assistance readily afforded by the Chief under difficult circumstances, but the foregoing are, perhaps, sufficient to show the danger of sending one column to generally 'put right' what it is supposed another has failed to do through incompetency or lack of information. The result was that, on the truth coming to light, Matshana's wrongfully seized property was, of course, restored by order of the Commandant of Militia.
If further proof be required of the Chief's loyalty, we have it in the fact that, as declared by the rebel ringleader Mangati, Matshana, because of his loyalty, was to be shot by rebels then being harboured at Usutu by Dinuzulu.—Vide, Cd. 3,888, p. 186.
It is right to add that Royston was not acquainted with the foregoing facts when the cattle were taken.
[298] When, on the 10th July, Dick returned to Durban, Furze took command (under Wylie); Furze was relieved on the 13th by Boyd-Wilson. In the concluding stages of the campaign, N.R. were detailed as garrisons at such places as Thring's Post, Kearsney, Stanger, and Nkandhla, whilst E squadron cleared up at Noodsberg.
[299] Major W.A. Vanderplank, Z.M.R., prosecuted in this important case, and Capt. C.F. Clarkson, D.L.I., with Lieut. H. Walton, N.C., defended.
[300] Meseni and Ndhlovu were tried at Mapumulo on the 16th and 17th July, 1906, and convicted of high treason.
[301] Other Chiefs and headmen, whose conduct during the disturbances had been unsatisfactory, were deposed, and, in some cases, ordered to remove to other districts. Among those removed were Tshingana, Dinuzulu's uncle, and, later on, Mabeketshiya, one of Dinuzulu's cousins; the former left Mahlabatini district to live near Amanzimtoti in Natal, the latter went from Vryheid district to Alfred division.