KZN, uMngeni to uMkhomazi was once settled by amaThuli clan. In approximately 1770 the Amathuli people fled from further north and settled in the land between the Umgeni and Umkomazi Rivers. During the reign of Shaka, a headman Tusika Myeba, was recorded as occupying a homestead called kwaGwabalanda, on the site of present day Pinetown.
Between 1818-1820 a dispute arose with Shaka about missing cattle that the Luthuli people were guarding for him. In revenge Shaka sent his impi south to attack and kill the Luthuli people. Refugees fled to the Umlazi River.