The iconic, sphinx-shaped hill at Isandlwana, KZN, looms above the whitewashed cairns erected in memory of the British soldiers who died here in the battle against the Zulus in 1879. It’s on this battlefield, and others in northern KZN such as Rorke’s Drift, where David Rattray, renowned historian and expert on the Anglo-Zulu War, conducted his famous tours.
Rattray, a personal friend of Britain’s Prince Charles, was shot dead at his guest lodge, Fugitive’s Drift on 26 January.
Alex Parker, who worked as Rattray’s assistant on the battlefields for a year, said the slain 49-year-old told his story on a personal level, never judging the foot soldier or the warrior, but saving his criticism for the generals and the politicians. “He was a fair, good, honest man,” Parker said.
“Rattray was an irreplaceable font of indigenous culture, history and traditions. His passing is a dreadful loss to our nation, the Zulu people, and, of course, to his wonderful family.”
Police have established a task team under the leadership of the head of the provincial organised crime unit, director Johan Booysen, to investigate Rattray’s murder, BuaNews reports. “The task team is working around the clock, looking at all possibilities that might have led to the murder. So far, we think the motive was robbery,” said KZN police spokesperson senior superintendent Phindile Radebe, adding that no arrests had been made.
Radebe said police hoped the Rural Safety Committees in the province would continue to meet this year and explore ways of ensuring rural safety. – Gregory Rule
