September 1880 - Basotho Messengers sent to AbeThembu, AmaMpondo & AmaMpondomise

Описание: Context: The Peace Preservation Act was a law which allowed for the confiscation of weapons owned by Africans for the sake of "Peace". This act divided & united Africans irrespective of ethnicity but rather on standing. Those who trusted the colonialists agenda were called Loyalists - "Matikete" which comes from "ticket" compensation from weapon confiscation. Those who denied the Peace Preservation Act were call the Rebels/Wild ones - "Mabelete".

In September 1880.

The Basotho were rebelling for about 3 months.

On the 6th of September troops from the cape colony crossed into lesotho, marched along Caledon river towards Mafeteng 2 Miles from Mafeteng the colonial troops spot 600 Basotho cavalry under Lerothodi. The Basotho attack the colonial troops commanded by Henry Shervinton, the attack failed with 12 Basotho killed and the colonialists with 1 casualty. This allowed the troops and the cape mounted rifles to set up camp at Mafeteng. The baostho would later block roads to Mafeteng.

A few days into the campaign against Basotho. Lerothodi with his 600 cavalry who shadowed the colonialists from the flanks, front and rear. Lerothodi with an additional 3,400 hidden in the hills the cape troops withstood the basotho attack and scattered it . The troops cleared the roads to Mafeteng & Morija.

On the 14th of September the Colonialists Confiscated loads of grain in a neighbaring village.

On the 15th, Lerothodi with 200 warriors forces the cape mounted rifles to retreat at Matsepe's Kraal. The troops burn other villages nearby Chief Moletsane, who had 800-900 warriors.

On the 17th, a narrow escape for Shervinton a combating with a 1200 Basotho cavalry. The basotho advantages became more and more apparent. Basotho ponies superior to Cape ponies. The Basotho had better weapons the Martini-Henry and Westley-Richards rifles while cape troops used Muzzle loading rifles.

Days later an estimated 40,000 Basotho cavalry and warriors were gathering at Mafeteng encircling the Cape troops.

On the 21st the Basotho cavalry attempted to capture colonial cattle and horses but Lerothodi's battle axes regiment suffered a defeat.

On the 22rd The Basotho warriors returned to their own homes after multiple defeats.

On the 25th because all the Cape soldiers had been transferred to Lesotho. The AbeThembu under Chief Tyali were also rebelling in Eastern Cape, Kokstad & Matatiele. The rebellions grew while the colonial forces spread themselves thinly. Additional Basotho from Orange river & Matatiele joined in the conflicts.

On from 28th to the 29th. Reports of AmaMpondo sending Xobo to Lesotho, AmaMpondomise's Chief Mhlonhlo & Chief Mditshwa received Basotho messengers and AmaHlubi's Chief Zibi also received Basotho messengers Along with rumours AmaQwathi's Chief Stokwe, Headman Siqungati & Headman Matanzima preparing for rebellion.

On the 30th of September at Matatiele in evening the colonial Magistrate of East Griquland, Matatiele received a report via Kokstad saying Basotho messengers from Pondoland have also been here and Basotho expect support from AmaMpondo. That the Basotho from should command by Lerothodi

With that the end of September.
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