The second shift of workers were ready to board the huge bucket that would carry them down to the bottom of the mine shaft, two miles below the surface. The scene: the No. 2 shaft of the Western Deep Levels gold mine in Carletonville, about 50 miles west of Johannesburg. Suddenly rioting broke out. A swelling mob of African mine workers, angered by a chronic wage and job dispute, went rampaging through the pit area, stoning white officials, looting and setting fire to buildings.
Shortly after 8 p.m., a squad of 22 policemen entered the...
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