German authority expanded through a combination of negotiation and force. Hendrik Witbooi accepted German authority under a peace settlement while retaining his position, people, land, stock, and arms, and later supplied troops to the German campaigns. At the same time, German officials intervened in the struggle for the Herero paramountcy, supported Samuel Maharero, and established a garrison at Okahandja. These arrangements allowed colonial officials to work through African political structures while strengthening their own military and administrative position.

In the north-western part of central Namibia, German intervention weakened Manasse Tjiseseta’s polity at Omaruru. A dispute involving the killing of a Bas­ter named Buijs gave Leutwein an opportunity to claim jurisdiction over a settler-related case and march on Omaruru with troops, a cannon, Samuel Maharero, Zacharias Zeraua, and Cornelius Goroseb. The resulting settlement left Manasse autonomous from Maharero in some respects but required a German garrison and reduced his control over the Damara community at Okombahe.

By the end of 1894, a rough pax Germanica had been established across much of southern and central Namibia. German domination over the Witbooi, Okahandja, and Omaruru political units was implemented in ways that allowed their rulers some continued autonomy, while other agreements transferred land and mining rights to German companies. Leutwein’s policy aimed to push Namibian pastoralists behind agreed boundaries, opening land for German occupation and exploitation, especially in Hereroland.

A December 1894 treaty moved Hereroland’s southern boundary northward from its former position. Otjiherero-speakers were prohibited from living or grazing stock beyond the new border, placing important grazing areas at Seeis and Gobabis under German control. In August 1895, Samuel Maharero accepted another territorial loss by signing treaties redefining Hereroland’s northern border. Boundary commissions then sought to enforce grazing restrictions and remove Otjiherero-speakers to the northern side.

The enforcement of these boundaries relied on armed pressure and economic sanctions. German cavalry assisted frontier operations, while cattle found grazing on the wrong side of the boundary were confiscated. The policy particularly affected eastern Otjiherero-speaking communities, including the Mbanderu under Kahimemua and the followers of Nicodemus Kavikunua. Although Samuel Maharero used cooperation with the Germans to strengthen his authority over rival ovahona and obtain economic advantages, the same process facilitated colonial encroachment on African authority and territory.

Resistance intensified as German rule disrupted production and political relationships. In March 1896, after drought had worsened already tense conditions, a group of Khauas launched a surprise attack on a German patrol. The following month, Khauas forces, probably led by Nicodemus Kavikunua and perhaps Kahimemua, attacked the German garrison at Gobabis. The attack was defeated after heavy losses, and Kahimemua and the main body of Otjiherero-speakers moved into the veld with the Khauas.

The resisting forces were eventually found at Otjunda, which they called Sturmfeld, near Epukiro. After a hard-fought battle they were defeated by a force including Germans, Basters, followers of Witbooi and Samuel Maharero, and two disaffected Mbanderu ovahona. Kahimemua surrendered after losing heavily, including his brother and two sons, while Nicodemus Kavikunua went into German custody. Both leaders were imprisoned at Okahandja and executed by firing squad on 12 June 1896.