Concern as 'diamond rush' hits South African village

Large crowds of people have gathered in a South African village in KwaZulu-Natal province where diamonds are rumoured to have been discovered, local media report.

Videos posted on social media showed people digging the ground in search of the precious stones.

The provincial government also shared one of the videos on Twitter and expressed concern its concern over the "diamond rush".

It added it had "noted with concern, the reports of illegal mining activity taking place at KwaHlathi outside Ladysmith".

Local authorities have not yet determined whether the stones are genuine diamonds.

The national department of minerals and energy is said to have promised to send its team - including enforcement and compliance units, plus geoscientists - to inspect the site.

The KwaZulu-Natal government also said in a media statement that it was concerned that the crowding at the site could violate Covid-19 regulations.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: KZN Provincial Government Twitter