[148] Ntshelela is one of the many younger sons of Godide, son of Ndhlela, one of Dingana's two principal indunas. Ndhlela was one of the two indunas in power when Piet Retief and his party were massacred at Mgungundhlovu in 1838.
[149] By this time, Cakijana had temporarily detached himself from the force.
[150] The Magistrate specially appointed to try the case, took a surprisingly lenient view of the matter. What had occurred was this: The Chiefs of the district were directed to bring their people to pay the poll tax. All, to begin with, were nervous and averse to paying until Sitshitshili came forward in the presence of the others and made his tribe pay, remarking, as he did so, that, having always obeyed the Government, he was not going to be afraid of doing so on that occasion. Other Chiefs then followed the example. Sigananda's people, of whom about 200 were present, declared they had no money and could not pay. When told that, as such was the case, they might go home, they "rushed up to the court-house fence brandishing their sticks, shouted out their tribal war-cry Yayize!" and began to dance in a defiant manner (giya) within the precincts of the court-house, action which at once terrified all the Native police, as bloodshed appeared to them to be imminent. No physical violence, however, occurred.
[151] Cd. 3027, p. 31.
[152] These forests are very extensive and difficult of access when approached from Natal. They are mainly on the eastern slopes of Qudeni mountain, and about twenty miles from those of Nkandhla. Bambata, however, does not appear at any time to have had them in view.
[153] Enhlweni, from inhlwa, a poor or indigent person, may be rendered the pauper's retreat, no doubt in allusion to the 'destitute' condition Cetshwayo found himself in on his return from exile,—'destitute,' that is, as compared with his former affluence and popularity.
[154] This man Muntumuni was later on shot in the Mome valley whilst climbing one of the steepest parts of the gorge. He was fired at many times, being in an exposed position. On being hit, he rolled to the foot of the mountain from a height of over 1,200 feet.
[155] Besides 182 N.P., 92 Z.N.P., 106 Z.M.R. and 20 civilians, there were 30 women and children at Empandhleni.
[156] This regiment got orders to mobilize on the 17th April. The orders applied to the Left Wing and 150 men of the headquarters squadrons (Right Wing). The latter section (under Captain E.W. Barter), joined the Left Wing at Dundee, the whole force being taken command of by Lt.-Col. D.W. Mackay. The remainder of the Right Wing, with the exception of D squadron, mobilized on the 1st May and proceeded to Helpmakaar under Lt.-Col. J. Weighton, who then took command of the regiment. D squadron was mobilized in June, and, as will be seen later, accompanied B.M.R. first to Dundee, then to Mapumulo where, until the arrival of Mackay's column early in July, they formed part of that of Leuchars. The total strength of the regiment was 918 (all ranks), including special service men, i.e. the largest volunteer corps Natal had ever placed in the field.
[157] Well armed, especially from Sigananda's point of view.