The settler colonies (mostly British) moving into the interior closer to the extraction plains came into direct conflict with many indigenous people living near the Orange River.

[1] A rebellion led by Galeshewe broke out against the Cape Colony government on 18 July 1878 at Cornforth Hill, Kimberley, after a decision was made to cull the rural cattle population in order to combat a Rinderpest[2] epidemic.

The matter was taken to court, with Galeshewe's cousin Petlhu demanding compensation, but the magistrate ruled in favour of the farmer as straying cattle was strictly prohibited.

[3] Galeshewe joined forces with the Tlharo and the Rolong[4] groups, where skirmishes were led against colonial traders and farmers in retribution against the cattle culling.

When Galeshewe escaped, he and the leader of the Batlhaping, Luka Jantjie, were attacked by the Cape Colonial Force that was 2000 men strong.

A search party led by George Dennison took off from Vryburg in the Orange Free State, whose instructions were to intercept Galeshewe before he crossed into Bechuanaland.

[5] Dennison and his army of farmers travelled along the Molopo River for the good part of three weeks, patrolling the area and taking prisoner any local Batswana that may have had key information regarding Galeshewe's movements.