When the GEAC tried to take over the administration of the coastal towns in August 1888, it met with broad rejection from the population, who saw themselves betrayed by the sultan.

The Austrian Consul Rudolf Fuchs in Zanzibar then reported to his Foreign Minister in Vienna, ... that the official of the German East African Society made the mistake of following the Wali von Pangani in a mosque, which buildings in this country are not allowed to be entered by non-Muslims the unfortunate circumstance occurred that the officers' dogs ran after him to the mosque - this whole incident is officially denied by the German side, but was confirmed to me by an eyewitness - ... an Austrian citizen in confidence as correct.This incident also took place on the Eid al-Adha which was one of the most important Islamic holidays.

[1] The unrest in Pangani triggered the two-year uprising of the coastal population led by Buschiri bin Salim, in which the rule of the GEAC completely collapsed.

Emil von Zelewski joined Wissmann's troops in 1889, took part in the storming of Buschiri's camp and the capture of Pangani and Saadani.

In this area, the German colonial power encountered the expanding sphere of influence of the Hehe people, who had brought large parts of the southern highlands under their control under their chiefs Munyigumba Muyinga and Mkwawa since the 1860s.

On 17 August 1891 Zelewski, who renounced reconnaissance patrols, marched right into the middle of Mkwawa's army; camouflaged in bush and tall grass.

A few years later, a small pyramid with a memorial plaque for the German fallen soldiers was erected at the site of the battle.

His biographer Blood takes the view that the uncle's fate was seen as a family disgrace because he was defeated in a fight against "inferior" Africans.