After being informed by the Commissioner of what had happened, Dinuzulu expressed the greatest indignation and grief. He begged to be allowed to assist in bringing the criminals to justice, and asked permission to send Mankulumana at once to Mahlabatini with twenty or thirty picked men to do all he could. The offer was accepted. Several arrests were subsequently made, and the prisoners, after lengthy examination, were brought to trial, but acquitted. The occurrence was for long enveloped in mystery. We shall return to the subject when dealing with similar murders that occurred chiefly after the conclusion of the Rebellion.
Barely a week after the foregoing murder, a Native Mnqandi, of the tribe of Matshana ka Mondise, when on a visit to Usutu kraal, was found with his throat cut, though still alive, near the boundary of Dinuzulu's ward. He is generally believed to have been assaulted in this murderous manner whilst within the said ward.
FOOTNOTES:
[172] It was probably after this forest that Tshaka named his great kraal Dukuza, whose site was exactly where the town of Stanger now stands.
[173] The Natives of Zululand and Natal may be divided into three great ethnic groups: amaLala, abeNguni and amaNtungwa. Of these, the amaLala or Lalas were probably the earliest settlers, followed by the abeNguni, and then the amaNtungwa. The last two have been in the country for at least 350 years. The amaLala are now to be found chiefly in Natal proper.
[174] A Zulu idiom signifying burial.
[175] Undisturbed in any way, as required by custom, the grave was found by the troops in 1906, to be overgrown with grass and weeds. There was around it a grove, some 200 yards in length and oval in shape. Immediately round the grove was a rough fence of Kaffir-boom trees. None of the trees in the plantation were more than 25 feet high. Owing to the grass not having been burnt or cut, it was naturally infested with snakes, among which, it was believed, was that (i.e. spirit) of the departed monarch. As, year by year, the grass in the vicinity was burnt, it devolved on the care-taker to make a 10-foot fire-break round the grove by digging away the grass. The grave consisted of a mound, 12 feet long by 10 feet broad and 15 inches high. On top of it lay one or two broken kambas (clay pots without handles), and parts of the original ox-waggon.
[176] This officer (Brev. Lieut.-Col. B.M.R.) had served as follows: South African War, 1878-9—Zulu Campaign. Medal with clasp. South African War, 1899-1902—Operations in Natal, 1899, including actions at Rietfontein and Lombard's Kop. Defence of Ladysmith, including sortie of 7th December, 1899, and action of 6th January, 1900; operations in Natal, March to June, 1900, including action at Laing's Nek; operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to October, 1900.
In command, West Australian Mounted Infantry—Operations in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, 30th November, 1900, to 31st May, 1902; operations on the Zululand Frontier of Natal in September and October, 1901.
Despatches, London Gazette, 17th and 25th April, 1902, and 4th December, 1903. Queen's medal with four clasps. C.M.G.; D.S.O. The Official Army List, Wyman & Sons, London, 1911.