Threats and Ultimatums

You are warned however that any resistance to lawful authority will be drastically dealt with.
"To.

ENOCH MGIJIMA and ALL associated with him and styling themselves "ISRAELITES" at NTABELANGA.

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that upon instructions of the government, I have come to Queenstown and will arrive at Ntabelanga on Monday the 23rd instant with adequate force to carry out certain orders which are detailed hereunder namely:-

1. To arrest certain men against whom warrants have been issued in order that they should be dealt with according to law.
2. To see that all unauthorized residents leave Ntabelanga and go back to where they came from.
3. To destroy all houses erected without authority.
4. On completion of these operations a Force will be left on Ntabelanga to prevent any unauthorised resident squatting there.

Every one's person and property will be respected.

YOU ARE WARNED however that any resistance to lawful authority will be drastically dealt with.

Commissioner
South African Police
Queenstown
21st May 1921

- Letter from Colonel Theo Truter to Enoch Mgijima, May 21, 1921, National Archives, Pretoria, Jus. Vol 288, Ref. 2/853/20

back to the Enoch Mgijima memorial page

"You take your orders from the government. I take mine from Jehovah."

Enoch Mgijima

Captured Israelites, 1921

Picture © Museum Africa

IN THE CLASSROOM

Historical documents: Clues to a terrible tragedy

In this lesson plan, learners are encouraged, through their study of historical documents, to explore the reasons for a religious group risking their lives to defy General Smuts's government in 1921. Learners will also be asked to think about why the government and its police used violent force against the so-called Israelites.

Lesson plan

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	Archive Photo Gallery
	A selection of photographs of the Bulhoek Massacre, courtesy of Museum Africa.

	Artwork Photo Gallery
	Photographs of the memorial and Church of God and Saints of Christ congregants, taken at an unveiling ceremony.

	The Bulhoek Massacre part 1
	Extract from a documentary on the Bulhoek Massacre, focusing on the controversy over the number of casualties

	The Bulhoek Massacre part 2
	In the decades since the Massacre, the church has grown in strength, and today has chapters throughout Eastern Cape