Thousands of people have flocked to a village in Kwa-Zulu-Natal recently, hoping that they might become rich in diamonds.
KwaHlathi village, which is just outside Ladysmith, has seen numerous, though unconfirmed reports that diamonds were found in the area, as per BusinessTech.
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has recently sent out a task team to provide some clarity on the glitter and confirm whether or not actual diamonds have been discovered.
WATCH: The Diamond Rush in KZN
Thousands of people have flocked to a small village in South Africa with picks and shovels after precious stones were discovered in the area. Per Reuters, the sudden ‘diamond rush’ is likely also spurred by high rates of poverty and unemployment in South Africa pic.twitter.com/fXcVaqxXA6
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In a statement, the department expressed that:
“The DMRE is dispatching a task team comprising geological and mining experts to the area to determine the veracity of the stories and to conduct a proper inspection of the site, and of what has been discovered in the area,” as per News24.
The department’s interest in the investigation was largely peaked after numerous visuals (via pictures and videos) started flooding social media with the ‘diamond’ discovery.
According to IOL, the “diamond rush” began after a cattle herder, who was digging in a field apparently came across the treasures.
The thrill of the rush has seen people glittery eyed with the possibility of the jewels, however, this informal mining activity is deemed illegal by the KZN government.
Some are calling it exciting, a treasure hunt for fortune seekers. Others are expressing that it is shining a glaring light on the tragedy of poverty in our country, as it may be far less of a treasure and far more of a lifeline if the diamonds are real.
Picture: Unsplash