Thousands Of Fortune Seekers Rush To South African Village After Discovery Of Unidentified Stones

Thousands of people have flocked to the outskirts of KwaHlathi Village, more than 300 kilometers southeast of Johannesburg, after a herder unearthed a mystery gem.

According to a report in Reuters, people from across South Africa have made the journey to join villagers who have been digging since Saturday, after shepherd who dug up a stone spread the word.

AFP

The discovery was a life changer, said Mendo Sabelo, as he held a handful of tiny stones.

¡°This means our lives will change because no one had a proper job, I do odd jobs. When I returned home with them, (the family was) really overjoyed," he told Reuters.

South Africa¡¯s mining department has sent a team of geologists and mining experts to survey the site. Provincial government officials have called for the area to be cleared to allow authorities to conduct an in-depth inspection.

Reuters

While there's still no clarity on whether the mystery gem is some form of diamond, it hasn't deterred the fortune seekers as long lines of parked cars on both sides of the gravel road could be seen just a few metres from the open field.

South Africa has one of the worst unemployment rates in Africa, trapping millions in poverty since the end of apartheid in 1994.

Reuters

The country is the most-industrialised nation in Africa but a large proportion of its working population are without jobs, according to first quarter figures for 2021.

There are fears the congregation of such large groups of people could be contributing to the spread of Covid-19.

Also read: Discovering Diamonds Meant These People Turned In To Millionaires Overnight!