Diamond Rush as Fortune Seekers Flock to Village Near Ladysmith, South Africa
Digging for Diamonds! Diamond Rush as Fortune Seekers Flock to Village Near Ladysmith, South Africa. Photo: screenshot from video

Home » Diamond Rush as Fortune Seekers Flock to Village Near Ladysmith, South Africa

Diamond Rush as Fortune Seekers Flock to Village Near Ladysmith, South Africa

Over 1,000 fortune hunters have driven from all corners of South Africa to a village near Ladysmith, in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), in the search for diamonds… after the alleged discovery of the precious stone in the area. Crowds of people, men and women – carrying spades and pick-axes – have flocked to KwaHlathi since Saturday to […]

Diamond Rush as Fortune Seekers Flock to Village Near Ladysmith, South Africa
Digging for Diamonds! Diamond Rush as Fortune Seekers Flock to Village Near Ladysmith, South Africa. Photo: screenshot from video

Over 1,000 fortune hunters have driven from all corners of South Africa to a village near Ladysmith, in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), in the search for diamonds… after the alleged discovery of the precious stone in the area. Crowds of people, men and women – carrying spades and pick-axes – have flocked to KwaHlathi since Saturday to mine diamonds after images and video went viral purporting to show diamonds found in the area, with those involved seen celebrating in the belief they have struck it rich. (Watch ‘Diamond Rush’ videos below.)

A man shows an unidentified stone as fortune seekers flock to the village after pictures and videos were shared on social media showing people celebrating after finding what they believe to be diamonds, in the village of KwaHlathi outside Ladysmith, in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, June 14, 2021. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
A man shows an unidentified stone as fortune seekers flock to the village after pictures and videos were shared on social media showing people celebrating after finding what they believe to be diamonds, in the village of KwaHlathi outside Ladysmith, in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, June 14, 2021. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

The KZN provincial government said it notes the ‘Diamond Rush’ reports with “concern” and has called for order, highlighting that illegal mining activities could be in violation of Covid-19 regulations.

Some say the unidentified stones are crystal quartz. Teams from Mintek (the council for Mineral Technology) and GCS (the Council for Geoscience) – including a geologist – will visit the area to analyse and identify exactly what is being discovered.

According to Reuters, some have started selling their stones with a starting price ranging from R100 to R300.

A man uses a pickaxe to dig as fortune seekers flock to the village after pictures and videos were shared on social media showing people celebrating after finding what they believe to be diamonds, in the village of KwaHlathi outside Ladysmith, in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, June 14, 2021. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
A man uses a pickaxe to dig. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
A woman arrives carrying a pickaxe on her head as fortune seekers are flocking to the village after pictures and videos were shared on social media showing people celebrating after finding what they believe to be diamonds, in the village of KwaHlathi outside Ladysmith, in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, June 14, 2021. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
A woman arrives carrying a pickaxe on her head as fortune seekers are flocking to the village. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

At the request of the KZN government,  the Department of Minerals and Energy is sending teams to the site, including the department’s enforcement and compliance unit to conduct an inspection.

KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala said:

“We are deeply concerned about the images showing that some people coming from as far as some of the neighbouring provinces and towns are flocking into kwaHlathi. We are worried that if not brought under control the situation could result in chaos and a possible stampede. We call for order and calm and urge all those involved to cease their operations and vacate the site so as to allow the DMRE to conduct a proper inspection of the site and of what has been discovered there.”

The Premier added that the illegal mining activities could be in violation of the Covid-19 regulations.

“It is also very concerning that in the wake of a looming third wave we have so many people gathered in one spot, not maintaining social distancing and also not wearing masks. This could prove to be a super-spreader and might put at risk many people including those who are not part of the mining”.

The provincial government said it will work closely with the SAPS (South African Police Service), the DMRE, the traditional communities, traditional leadership and the local and district municipalities to bring calm to the area and to ensure that the relevant information filters through to community members, it said.

WATCH Diamond Rush (Monday lunch-time) – Digging for Diamonds in KZN

Yesterday’s broadcast of Carte Blanche focused on illegal mining in another province of South Africa – the liquidation of a gold mine in Krugersdorp left one of the country’s worst environmental disasters behind… and running gun battles of rival Zama Zama gangs are leaving communities fearful. If you’re overseas, you can watch this episode from tomorrow (Tuesday) on Showmax International.