- £975.00
MPHEFU WAR. 1898 stampless cover, endorsed ‘Veld Dienst’ addressed to Johannesburg with a PIETERSBURG 14 DEC 98 datestamp. Mphefu's stubborn resistance and refusal to pay taxation was viewed as calculated defiance of the authority of the Republic. The Boer Republic mobilised 1800 Boers, 850 from Pretoria, 200 from Potchefstroom, 100 from Waterberg, 200 from Heidelberg, 200 from Standerton, and 250 from the Soutpansberg. The Boer commando, led by General Joubert, reached Makhado on 18th October 1898. They constructed a laager in the form of a square, fortified by a stone wall in order to combat night attacks. The Venda on the other hand constructed their own fortifications about a mile from the laager. On 21 October 1898 the first shots were fired. A short skirmish followed after which Joubert requested an additional 2700 men. On 16 November 1898 4500 Boers attacked Luatame. They were joined by 1000 Swazi men and 1000 Tsonga-Shangaan men. Finally, after two days of fighting, and after about 130 people had perished, Venda surrendered to the Boers. On 21 December 1898 Mphefu. crossed into Rhodesia and was given sanctuary at Vhuxwa. A fine and rare cover from this War.
