Mzala Tom
In the last years of the Rozvi/Lozwi empire (early 1800s) there was a mfecane pushed scramble to take over the territory by Nguni-Sotho generals from the south who were seeking new territories. The empire was severely divided and weakened by power struggles.
The Nguni-Sotho groups that attacked and dismantled the Rozvi/Lozwi territory included the Nguni of Zwangendaba, Soshangane, Ngwana Maseko, Nqaba, Nyamazana and a Sotho-Bafokeng group known as the Kololo of Sebetwane.
This was before the arrival of the Ndebele of Mzilikazi.
When the Ngwana Maseko and Nqaba Msene group of Swatis passed through the Duma area they captured many Karanga young men and conscripted them into their armies. These recruits were later to become the notorious raiders known in Shona communities as the Dumbuseya.
When Ngwana Maseko and Nqaba consolidated their group they waged a war for the control of the Rozvi /Lozwi territory with the Zwangendaba group. This war happened near Mt Wedza at Zvishavane. Zwangendaba defeated the Maseko-Msene group despite their numerous local recruits
The Maseko-Msene group fled towards the Zambezi Valley heading to Tanzania. The Dumbuseya however returned after only trekking as far as the Zambezi Valley. Among the Dumbuseya who returned were some Nguni-Swati clans like the Masuku from the Maseko-Msene group.
This group of Karangas was now Ngunilised and had adopted Nguni attire, military fighting skills language and weapons. They settled in Zvishavane from where they raided many Shona communities for cattle and grain, masquerading as Ngunis. They became known as the Dumbuseya.
The Dumbuseya clashed with and were defeated by the Ndebele during the reign of King Lobhengula. This was after they attacked Lobhengula’s ally Chief Mposi of the Lemba/Remba group. They later forged an alliance with the Ndebele like the Lemba/Remba.
The present day Dumbuseya groups eventually settled under chiefs Wedza in Ture, Zvishavane and Mazetese who was relocated from Fort Rixon to Mwenezi. The Dumbuseya are largely of the Moyo clan and include the Masukume, Zibanayi, Mdonga, Mazvizvo and assimilated Ngunis. etc.
When the Ndebele under Mzilikazi arrived, the former Rozvi/Lozwi territory was now under the control of Nyamazana Dlamini the Swati female warrior and niece to Zwangendaba who had defeated the last king Tohwechipi Tjilisamhulu/Chirisamhuru. The Swati settled in Mzingwane
On arrival, the Ndebele had clashes with the Swati. They later had a peace treaty sealed by Mzilikazi’s marriage to Nyamazana.
Soshangane on the other hand occupied the eastern Rozvi/Lozwi territory and established his capital in the highlands of the middle Save River. (Source:@RealMzalaTom)