All these developments proved to the government that the Israelites were digging in, and they gave the go-ahead to the police to send out a force to confront the Israelites. This time the government was not going to be embarrassed.

Officials weighed several options about the kind and level of force they would use. One was to send aircraft overhead in a display of power to measure its effect on the Israelites. Another was to drop some bombs around the Israelite village. They decided against the second tactic, however, because they feared that if the bombs missed their mark, it would lessen the aircraft's ‘overawing influence’ and ‘moral value’ on Africans, and stiffen the Israelite resolve to resist. Officials also worried that the bombs might hit Ntabelanga accidentally, and wound or kill men, women and children indiscriminately. Another suggestion was to have troops ‘surround and starve the Israelites into submission’, but this was rejected because it would have hurt non-Israelites and would have required a force of almost 4 000 to stay for a lengthy period.

In the end, Colonel Truter directed that 800 white police and soldiers be selected from all over the country to assemble in Queenstown. It was the largest force the government had put together in peacetime since the Union of South Africa had been established.

The police and soldiers began gathering at the Queenstown Showgrounds, while the Native Affairs Commission went once more to Ntabelanga on 11 May 1921 for a last attempt at negotiation. The meeting, though, broke down into heated arguments. The younger Israelites were especially militant, so none of their leaders were willing to compromise. Charles Mgijima's parting words to Loram and Roberts were: ‘We thank you for your patience. Now it will be a matter between the Lord and the government.’

Although several other black groups attempted to mediate between the officials and the Israelites, the stage was set for a final showdown.

On 21 May, Colonel Truter issued his final ultimatum: the Israelites had to leave Ntabelanga or the police would move to arrest Enoch Mgijima and demolish houses.

The next day, Mgijima delegated Silwana Nkopo and Samuel Matshoba to deliver a letter to Truter. He defended the Israelite position.