Workers embark on strike action

Sixty-one Xhosa-speaking workers, under the leadership of their Headman known as One O'clock, went on strike at the Brakpan Electric Works. The workers marched to Boksburg where they demanded that they air their grievances before the magistrate. The workers complained about their poor living conditions in compounds and the harsh conditions under which they had to work. In particular they complained about beatings that they received at the hands of the resident engineer, who regularly sjambokked workers. The magistrate responded by accusing the workers of falsely accusing their employers of ill treatment in order to get a discharge and find employment elsewhere. They were sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour for falsely accusing their employer and engaging in strike action.