Hunting diamonds in South Africa - 23rd June 2021

Thousands of diamond hunters have rushed to KwaHlathi village in South Africa.

A cattle herder's recent discovery of some stones resembling diamonds caused this sudden interest.

National officials have advised the public that the pebbles might not be valuable. However, as so many people are desperate for money, they are ignoring the advice.

Mduduzi Maphumulo is optimistic.

Mduduzi Maphumulo: "I heard that people are digging diamonds here, so I said, you know, let me come and take a try - only to find that I was going to find one. Here's it, I'm holding it, here and it's like a pyramid. As you can see, it's for real. Something real - I just got it here on the floor. I didn't even have to dig that much to get it."

South Africa is well-known for its natural resources including the Cullinan diamond, which is part of the British crown jewels. This gem was also found just below ground.

Many people think the possibility of finding more similar treasures caused the rush.

Hlengiwe Mlambo isn't so confident. She thinks people should be patient.

Hlengiwe Mlambo: "The, there might be a probability of diamonds, 'cause it's close to a river and we're finding stones like this, but ja. At the moment, I think everyone is finding quartz, because - obviously crystals like this have a certain heat rey, radia to them. So, we don't have a reader - at the moment. So ja, we're waiting for that and then we'll know indefinitely."

Officials have been unsuccessful in getting the crowds to leave the site to avoid coronavirus transmission.

The state has ordered geologists and mineral specialists to gather pebbles for examination.