The Native Affairs Commission went once more to Ntabelanga for negotiations

In a last attempt at negotiations with the Israelites, the Native Affairs Commission (NAC) went once more to Ntabelanga near Queenstown, Eastern Cape. The Israelites had squatted at Ntabelanga where they used to gather to celebrate Passover.  In 1919 Enoch Mgijima declared that he had had a vision that the world would end in 1920. His declaration inspired  a pilgrimage of his followers from all over South Africa. About 3 000 people arrived in the area and proceeded to squat there.    They erected a tabernacle and some huts without registering themselves or paying tax. Mgijima was adamant that the end of the world was fast approaching and that Jehovah had instructed him to remain there. On 24 May 1921, close to 200 people lost their lives and 100 were left injured after a clash between police and Israelites. The battle was triggered by Colonel Truter’s final ultimatum demanding that the Israelites evacuate land they were squatting on and warned that if they failed to comply, their leader would be arrested and their homes demolished.