DINIZULU'S CAREER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 36, 8 March 1909, Page 4

DINIZULU'S CAREER

Diliiizuiu, the son of G'etewayo, has been under arrest since 10th December, 1907, on charges bJ treason. Towards the end of 1!H)7 the Natal Government took drastic action iu Zululand in consequence of the unrest among the tribesmen and the number of serious crimen alleged) to have been committed in various districts. There was reason to suspect a secret combination for the murder of chiefs and others who liad been loyal to the Government during the reoent rebellion.

Martial law was proclaimed and the Natal Militia mobilised. Dinizulu, suspected of complicity in the seditious movement, was summoned by Colonel Sir Duncan MeKenzie to surrender, lie did so on 10th December, and was taken to Pietermaritzbuig, where he was kept in confinement pending the examination preliminarj to the trial. The salary of £SOO a year which he receives so loug as his attitude towards the British power remains above rcproatln was stopped, by the Natal Government; but, in response to strong representations iu the House of Commons, it was paid by the Imperial Government, the Colonial Secretary hold-, ing that the stoppage was unwarranted. Complaints were made at intervals by Dinizulu's counsel and by Miss Colenso, bis constant supporter, that the examination was unduly delayed, and that difficulties were being placed in the way of the defence; but tho Natal Government insisted that the procedure adopted was unavoidable in the interest of the colonv.

Dinizulu, who was defended by Mr. W. P. Schreiner. was brought up for trial before a .special court at Greyto\vj» on 10th November, 190 S. AmoDg the wrtaesses against Dinizulu were Bambatta's wife and ron and daughter, who testified to Bainbaata's presence at Dinizulu's kraal at l>iuu, and to Dinizulu's supplying ammunition, and watching rifle practice. Bambaata's wife ; stated tliat she heard Dinizulu urge his 1 followers to murder Sir Charles Saun-d-ers:. Commissioner for Native Affairs in Zululand. Givang evidence in his own defence, Dinizulu denied having expressed afresh that Sir Charles Saunders might be killed while he was on a hunting expedition. He also denied having given Bambaata, a g'un, or having identified himself with Bambaata's- cause. The prisoner stated that he refused to allow Bambaata to stay at Usutu, but reluctajDtiy consented to allow Batm-: baata's family to remain. He was afraid , to inform Sir Charles Saunders of this, j as Bambaata had proved an enemy of the Government. I

During the trial at Greytown, Natal, the court was generally crowded, chiefly by natives. A correspondent wrot* 1 in November: "All over the colony and Zulu In 7id the word has gone forth, in the picturesque hyperbole for which the Zulus are noted, that 'the white men i art killing the Child'—the latter being the term applied to Dinizulu, i.e., 'The Child of the King,' Cetewayo. ''Every day on the assembly and rising of the court, the native spectators gave utterance to £h« royal salute, 'Bayetc!'—nominally addressed to Khe judges, but really, it is said, intended for Dinizulu himself." ' Dinizulu, the favorite son of C'etcwayOj, was bom in 1809, and was madrKing of the Zulus in 1884. Trouble ensued, and he was charged with rebelling against the British, and was sentenced, with his two brothers, to ten years' imprisonment and banishment to St. Helena. When Zululand was incorpnr-. ated with Natal in 1897 Dinizulu obtained his liberty, and before returning to South Africa visited London. The Natal Government appointed him a local chief at a salary of £SOO a year. He had a tolerably good education, much; of which was received at St. Helena. The Commissioners who were appointed a Special Court to try Diuizulu are Sir William J. Smith (Judge- o'f the Transvaal Supreme Court), Mr. 11. O. Boshoff (Judge of the Natal Native High- Court), and Mr. 11, O. Shepstone.