Native insurgents led by Maqoma have established themselves in the forested Waterkloof (today a suburb of the city of Pretoria) in the course of the 8th Xhosa War that began in 1850.

From this base, they have managed to plunder surrounding Afrikaner farms and torch the homesteads.

Maqoma's stronghold is situated on Mount Misery, a natural fortress on a narrow neck wedged between the Waterkloof and Harry's Kloof.

The Waterkloof conflicts have lasted two years.

Maqoma has also led an attack on Fort Fordyce and inflicted heavy losses on the forces of Sir Harry Smith.