Commandant-General Paul Kruger and others in the…
1862 CE
Pretorius is told by the Transvaal volksraad on September 10, 1860, to choose between his two posts—to the surprise of both supporters and detractors he resigns as President of the Transvaal and continues in the Free State.
After Stephanus Schoeman unsuccessfully attempts to forcibly supplant Grobler as Acting President, Kruger persuades him to submit to a volksraad hearing, where Schoeman is censured and relieved of his post.
Willem Cornelis Janse van Rensburg is appointed Acting President while a new election is organized for October 1862.
Having returned home, Kruger is surprised to receive a message urgently requesting his presence in the capital, the volksraad having recommended him as a suitable candidate; he replies that he is pleased to be summoned but his membership in the Dopper Church means he cannot enter politics.
Van Rensburg promptly has legislation passed to give equal political rights to members of all Reformed denominations.