WATCH: Experts to be dispatched to illegal Ladysmith diamond mining site

WATCH: Experts to be dispatched to illegal Ladysmith diamond mining site

Teams of mineral experts and geologists will be dispatched to the Ladysmith area, where illegal mining activity took place this past weekend. 

Diamond
Letšeng Diamonds

Scores of people thronged KwaHlathi and were seen digging there on Saturday, in hope of finding gems.

It was after some residents claimed to have found diamonds.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala says experts from the Department of Minerals will go and inspect the site.

Zikalala has called for calm and has urged those involved to leave the site and allow officials to determine what has been discovered there.

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"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."

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