The wretched of the earth

In one particular case, the manner in which workers were informed of the closure can only be described as egregious. According to unionists, workers were briefly addressed at 2am, and ordered to pack their belongings, before being bussed out of the mine under the gaze of armed police.

In February 2012, 143 workers were axed at BK 11 diamond mine after proprietor, Firestone Diamond, cited market weaknesses, while retrenchments, suspensions and other industrial actions continually stalk the precarious mining sector.