A Shocking Turn Of Events

The most prominent leader of the emerging anti-war faction was the Marico District Veldkornet Jan Viljoen, who despite his responsibility to prevent the flow of arms and ammunition into Botswana, had himself traded munitions for ivory. Indeed, Viljoen was trading in Ngamiland at the time of the August 1852 attack on Dimawe. Given that Commandant-General Piet Scholtz’s commando had been formed only after many months of discussions and delay, Viljoen’s absence from its ranks can be seen as a deliberate act.

In September 1852, armed Bangwato took Viljoen and his companions into custody. Sechele had by then sent messages to all of the independent Dikgosi living between Kudumane and the Zambezi calling on them to intercept and kill the Boers. But, when Viljoen was brought before Kgosi Sekgoma I, he was given a reprieve. The great Phuti reportedly told him