1883–1888
Dinuzulu and the Zulu civil conflict
In a Zulu civil conflict, Dinuzulu's uSuthu faction allied with Boer volunteers to defeat Zibhebhu's Mandlakazi faction, granting land that became the New Republic before Britain annexed the remaining independent Zululand.
Britain's division of Zululand after the Anglo-Zulu War strengthened competing chiefs and contributed to civil war between Cetshwayo's uSuthu supporters and Zibhebhu kaMaphitha's Mandlakazi faction. Zibhebhu defeated Cetshwayo at oNdini in 1883. After Cetshwayo's death in 1884, the uSuthu recognised his son Dinuzulu as king.
Dinuzulu sought help from Boer volunteers from the Transvaal border districts after British officials declined to restore him by force. In exchange for military assistance, he promised the volunteers land. Boer firepower and uSuthu forces defeated Zibhebhu at Tshaneni in June 1884, and Zibhebhu's followers were driven from much of their territory.
The volunteers claimed a large tract in north-western Zululand and established the New Republic around Vryheid. Disagreement followed over the extent of the promised grant; uSuthu leaders resisted claims exceeding what they believed had been agreed. Britain recognised a reduced New Republic, annexed the remaining independent Zululand in 1887, and later prosecuted Dinuzulu after renewed fighting involving Zibhebhu.
Significance
The episode cannot be explained solely as British intervention or Boer encroachment. It was also a Zulu succession and civil conflict in which Dinuzulu deliberately recruited outside military support and paid for it with a territorial promise. British partition helped create the instability, while the uSuthu victory, land grant and later annexation together reduced independent Zulu sovereignty.
Why it matters
The conflict arose from internal rivalry intensified by Britain's earlier partition of Zululand. African factions and Boer volunteers pursued their own security, political and territorial aims, and the outcome reduced independent Zulu territory.