Despite warnings, Retief left the Tugela region on 28 January 1838, in the belief that he could negotiate permanent boundaries for the Natal settlement with Dingane. The deed of cession of the Tugela-Umzimvubu region, although dated 4 February, 1838, was signed by Dingane on 6 February 1838. This Dingane did by imitating writing and with the two sides recording three witnesses each. Dingane then invited Retief's party to witness a special performance by his soldiers. However, upon a signal given by Dingane, the Zulus overwhelmed Retief's party of 70 and their Coloured servants, taking all captive.
Retief, his son, men, and servants, about a hundred people in total, were taken to Kwa Matiwane Hill at 28°25′37″S 31°16′12″E / 28.42694°S 31.27°E / -28.42694; 31.27, a site where thousands had already been massacred.[3] The whole party was clubbed to death there, Retief being killed last, so as to witness the deaths of his comrades. Their bodies were left on the hillside to be devoured by wild animals, as was Dingane's custom with his enemies. Dingane then gave orders for the Voortrekker laagers to be attacked,[3] which plunged the migrant movement into serious disarray. Eventually, the Retief party's remains were recovered and buried on 21 December 1838, by members of the "victory commando" led by Andries Pretorius, following the decisive Voortrekker victory at Blood River.
Also recovered was the undamaged deed of cession from Retief's leather purse, as later verified by a member of the "victory commando", E.F. Potgieter. An exact copy survives, but the original deed disappeared in transit to the Netherlands during the Anglo-Boer War. The site of the Retief grave was more or less forgotten until pointed out in 1896 by J.H. Hattingh, a surviving member of Pretorius's commando. A monument recording the names of the members of Retief's delegation was erected near the grave in 1922.[4]
Southern Africa
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