Today in Kimberley's History
January 5th
"Every day has a story about Kimberley's past."
On this day...
The fifth day of January takes us into one of Kimberley's earliest political controversies, when allegations of bribery threatened the reputation of a young Cecil Rhodes. It also provides another glimpse into military operations during the Siege of Kimberley as British troops probed Boer positions outside the town.
1876 – Inquiry into Allegations Against Cecil Rhodes
On this day in 1876, the Crossman Commission of Enquiry began hearing evidence into allegations of corruption and poor governance on the Kimberley diamond fields.
The enquiry was established following the Black Flag Rebellion of 1875, along with growing concerns about the administration of the rapidly expanding mining settlement. Colonel Crossman was appointed as Royal Commissioner to investigate a range of issues, including disputes over mining operations, public administration and allegations of corruption.
One of the most sensational claims came from Mr Heuteau, the engineer responsible for pumping water from the De Beers Mine. He alleged that a mining speculator had offered him £300 to deliberately damage the pumping machinery, allowing the mine to flood for financial gain.
Initially refusing to identify the individual, Heuteau eventually wrote the name on a piece of paper after Crossman threatened legal action. The name was Cecil Rhodes.
The allegation immediately caused a sensation. Rhodes denied the accusation, insisting that Heuteau was lying. His business partner, Charles Rudd, defended Rhodes before the Commission, describing him as a man who would never offer such a bribe.
Rhodes later appeared before the enquiry and informed Crossman that he had already instructed his lawyer and business partner, Robert Dundas Graham, to institute perjury proceedings against Heuteau.
The matter was subsequently referred to the courts. Witnesses later testified that Heuteau had privately admitted Rhodes was not the man who had offered the alleged bribe. Although the court ruled there was sufficient evidence for a perjury trial, the case was unexpectedly withdrawn shortly thereafter. Equally surprising was that the original bribery allegation against Rhodes was never pursued.
Exactly why both cases came to an abrupt end has never been fully explained. Contemporary newspapers called for the truth to emerge, while later historians have continued to debate what happened behind the scenes. Whatever the answer, the incident became one of the earliest public controversies involving the man who would later dominate Kimberley's mining industry and become Prime Minister of the Cape Colony.
Did You Know?
The alleged bribe was £300—a considerable sum in 1876, equivalent to many years' wages for an ordinary worker on the Kimberley diamond fields.
1900 – A Reconnaissance Beyond Hull's Farm
82 days into the Siege of Kimberley
On 5 January 1900, British mounted troops carried out a reconnaissance beyond Hull's Farm to test Boer positions surrounding Kimberley.
In The Diary of a Doctor's Wife – During the Siege of Kimberley, October 1899 to February 1900, Winifred Heberden recorded that mounted troops under Colonel Peakman, supported by artillery, advanced beyond the farm while Dr Jack Heberden remained at Hull's Farm.
The operation met little resistance. Boer forces withdrew quickly, driving their cattle ahead of them as they retreated. British artillery, together with guns positioned at Wesselton, fired several shells into the Boer laager before the reconnaissance force returned safely to Kimberley.
Although no major engagement followed, such operations were an important part of the town's defence. They gathered intelligence on enemy movements, kept pressure on Boer positions and demonstrated that Kimberley's defenders remained active despite being surrounded.
For the residents inside the town, every successful reconnaissance offered reassurance that the garrison continued to hold the initiative whenever opportunities arose.
Did You Know?
Reconnaissance patrols were a vital part of Kimberley's defence, allowing British commanders to monitor Boer positions while avoiding the heavy casualties of a full-scale attack.
Can't find a Kimberley connection for a particular date? Our Today in Kimberley's History collection is continually expanding as we research Kimberley's rich history. If you know of a notable local event that occurred on a specific date, we'd love to hear from you using the Contact Us page.
Kimberley's Story Continues
These are just two of the many events that helped shape Kimberley. Every date on the calendar reveals another chapter in the city's remarkable history.
Continue exploring...