Braam Knights Klub

previously:  Gun war - September 1880   At the end of September Lerothodi (son of King Letsie) was leading a force of Basotho in Matatiele with additional reinforcements from Makwai's clan and AbeThembu from Transkei.  With the Rebels increasing in number. The Cape Colony can not held two large armies being AbeThembu and Basotho, the Cape army had to rely on natives of Umzikhulu, Kokstad & Qumbu.  On the 4th of October 1880. Hamilton Hope sent a letter saying Mhlonhlo & Mditshwe (AmaMpondomise Royals) would aid the Cape Colony. The AmaMpondomise said only if they received fire arms in exchange.  In Kokstad & Umzikhulu 200 mounted men were raised as aids to the Cape written by W.Ayliff. In Umzimvubu had an inflax of Europeans refugees from Matatiele as a large force of Basotho occupied at Matatiele. The 5th of October Cape force's were defeated at Mohale's hoek then they sent a letter for Mhlonhlo assistence. In Umzimvubu, Basotho attacked Von Meyer's...

In 1878, the Cape Parliament had passed the Peace Preservation Act, which allowed for the confiscation of the firearms of the African population in exchange for a monetary compensation. Many had worked in railway construction and the diamond mines in Griqualand West with the express purpose of purchasing modern breech-loading and smoothbore rifles. As a result, the Basuto became the best-armed tribe in southern Africa. The Peace Preservation 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". Few Basuto complied with the order and handed over their arms. The heir to the Basuto throne, Lerothodi, spoke against disarmament, while Letsie's brother chief Masopha and his nephew chief Joel Molapo ope...