Misunderstanding between clans in Natal triggered the Mfecane war. How did the confrontation start in Natal?

The confrontation in Natal started when the Zulu leader Shaka sent his army to attack the neighboring Ndwandwe clan, believing that they were planning to attack the Zulu. However, the Ndwandwe clan was actually seeking refuge from another enemy, the Mthethwa clan, and did not intend to attack the Zulu. This misunderstanding led to a series of battles and conflicts between the clans in Natal, eventually escalating into the Mfecane war.

The Nguni clans in Natal were initially united under the leadership of Zwide, the chief of the Ndwandwe. However, after Zwide's death in 1825, the clans began to compete for control of land and resources. This rivalry led to a series of clashes, one of which took place at the Mhlathuze river in 1828. The confrontation started when a group of Mthethwa warriors attacked a group of Ndwandwe warriors who were washing their spears in the river. The Ndwandwe warriors responded by attacking the Mthethwa warriors, and the battle quickly escalated. The Mthethwa were victorious, and the Ndwandwe were forced to flee from their territory. This battle marked the beginning of the Mfecane war, which would devastate Natal and the surrounding regions for years to come.