He was half-brother to Shaka, whom he murdered. At first friendly to European settlers, missionaries, and the Voortrekkers, he treacherously killed their leader Piet Retief and his followers. He attacked a White settlement near what is now Durban, but was defeated (1838) at the Battle of Blood River. He then fled, and was succeeded in 1840 by his brother Mpande. Driven into Swaziland, he was assassinated there three years later.