On 27 January, Smuts took nine of the leaders from their prison cells, and ordered them to be deported, without warrant or trial. The steamship "Umgeni" was to leave Durban for London on the morning of the 30th, and Smuts was determined that it take the nine passengers. The captain of the "Umgeni" refused to comply, seeing it as an illegal act for which he would be held responsible. Smuts cleared the captain and his company of any potential wrongdoings, and took responsibility himself, allowing the union leaders, including Poutsma, to be deported without delay.