Zululand Policemen 1883-1906

These two uniformed Zulu policemen are armed with the traditional iwisa (knobkierie) and the short stabbing spear.

Fort Nonquai, Eshowe, now houses a museum.

This Fort on the outskirts of the town of Eshowe, Zululand, was built as the HQ of the Zululand Native Police, a force established in 1883 as a bodyguard to Sir Melmoth Osborne. The force, initially only 50 men, was known as nongquai to the Zulus, and the fort was called Fort Nongquai. 

The Zululand Native Police saw service in Zululand during the 1880’s, took part in the South Africa War (when its numbers rose to 600 men) and the Bambatha Rebellion.

The force was absorbed into the Natal Police when Zululand was annexed to Natal in 1897, but was reinstated at the time of the Bambatha Rebellion; and disbanded immediately afterwards.  

The Fort was used as a depot for the Provincial Roads Department until it was decided to house a museum in the building.