There had been periodic unrest at Mabieskraal (Pilansberg), Rustenburg District, Transvaal (now North West Province) from the 1930s onwards. During the 1950s, the regent, Jeremiah Rakoko Mabe, and his councilors and a large section of the community opposed the introduction of Bantu Authorities. They ‘stated that acceptance of this system would amount to rule by government officials rather than the traditional tribal leaders.’