Gun War - October 1880


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 force. Meyer withstood the attack by driving off the Basotho. W.E Stanford sets up a patrol along the side of the Drakensberg mountains to prevent the movement of AbeThembu under Tyali.

The 6th October an additional Griquas & Europeans came to the aid of the Cape Colony.

Days later on the 8th the patrols spot 500 Basotho at Umzimvubu, AmaMpondo were building an occupation. Both Basotho & AmaMpondo were preparing to attack AmaXesibe under Jojo and Amabhaca under Makaula. It was quite the situation at Mzimvubu a Mexican standoff. The rebels were combined army of Basotho, AmaMpondo & AbeThembu vs the colonial army (Griquas, AmaXesibe, Amabhaca & AmaHlubi) in this standoff the only people who would fight were amaMpondo against AmaXesibe but in secret the Basotho were sending letters to the Griquas, AmaBhaca & AmaHlubi to abandon the Colonial army which as a result led to the arrest of Lodewyk Kok.

On the 9th reports of AmaQwathi joining with Basotho, AmaMpondo & AbeThembu.

10th Basotho factions were at each other throats, the fights led to the burning of churches, schools, police barracks, stables & houses. The rebel Basotho under Masupha were pushed back by Loyalist Basotho in Maseru. 

The 11th Batlokwa's Lahana & Ledingwana reinforced the Cape troops numbers.

Then from the 12th to the 13th Lehana & Ledingwana. Remember the situation at Mzimvubu AmaMpondo were pushing back AmaXesibe at this point AmaMpondomise's Mhlonhlo & Mditshwa were most reliable natives chiefs but not for long...

The 14th of October. Hamilton Hope was making preparations to attack Mafeteng in Lesotho, reports of Basotho spotted with Mhlonhlo.

Jump to the 16th. Basotho against the rebellion join with the Cape troops being Lebenya and Ramahlakwana. Hamilton Hope and Mhlonhlo go out for patrol even thou there are rumours of Mhlonhlo being on the side of the rebel Basotho. 

*The AmaMpondomise and Batlokwa were playing the Cape colony. Both AmaMpondomise and Batlokwa were actually on the rebelling side, they were waiting to receive their firearms. 


Now then in "The Making of Loyals and Rebels by Milner Charles Snell. At Sulenkama which is 50 yards from Qmubu and 7 miles from Qunqu, camp was set up for Hope meet with Mhlonhlo & his regiment. The camp was overrun by AmaMpondomise. Hamilton Hope & his troops were killed. The AmaMpondomise took guns and ammunition. Hope's beard was cut off with the face skin. This started what is known as Hope's war or the AmaMpondomise rebellion.

On the 25th October Basotho factions are still fighting each other in Maseru & Mafeteng. 

End of October.

Video: Gun War - October 1880.

Next: Gun War - November 1880

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