Hunting for diamonds in South Africa

Hordes of diggers have flocked to KwaHlathi village 300 kilometres southeast of Johannesburg in South Africa in search of diamonds.

The rush was triggered by a herdsman discovering a handful of crystal-like pebbles. It prompted warnings by the South African government that the stones could be worthless.

For the poor and unemployed, these warnings have fallen on deaf ears.

One hopeful is Mduduzi Maphumulo.

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."

Renowned for its mineral wealth, South Africa produced the world famous Cullinan diamond, currently the centrepiece of the British crown jewels.

The Cullinan was reportedly found only metres beneath the surface, fuelling what many believe to be a diamond rush.

However, digger Hlengiwe Mlambo is wary and is awaiting corroboration of her find.

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."

The authorities have asked diggers to vacate the area, citing coronavirus restrictions, but to no avail.

And geological and mining experts have been sent to the area to collect stones for analysis.

View Less