Griqualand West is annexed to the Cape Colony in 1877 following agreement by the British government on compensation to the Orange Free State for its competing land claims.

The Cape Prime Minister John Molteno had had serious initial doubts about annexing the heavily indebted region, but, after striking a deal with the Home Government and receiving assurances that the local population would be consulted in the process, he passes the Griqualand West Annexation Act on July 27, 1877.