Life of Native Workers in Early Diamond Mine Compounds

These compounds are some seventeen in number, the largest being at the DeBeers mines, where four acres are enclosed; the walls are ten feet in height and the compound is covered with a fine wire screen to prevent the throwing of diamonds outside to a confederate. The huts of galvanized iron for the workmen are built in the compound, and there is also a swimming pool and other means of amusement, so that the natives, while virtually prisoners within the compound, are well cared for. When they leave the employ of the company they are again searched in the most thorough fashion, being stripped and then placed in a detention room provided only with a blanket. Here they are kept for a period of five to seven days, so that even if the men swallow diamonds it is impossible for them to escape with their treasures. Finally they are given their old clothes, which have been kept in sacks numbered for each man, and allowed to leave the compound.