KZN officials lament environmental damage caused by Ladysmith ‘diamond’ dig
KwaZulu-Natal officials are turning their attention to repairing the environmental damage left behind by thousands of so-called diamond hunters in Ladysmith.
People flocked to KwaHlathi last week in search of precious stones that locals believed were diamonds.
However, experts later confirmed the stones discovered there were quartz crystals.
READ: Geological mapping set to continue at Ladysmith ‘diamond rush’ site
Now, Environmental Affairs in KZN says the so-called diamond rush has badly affected the environment.
MEC Ravi Pillay says the illegal dig has led to major land degradation.
They are now having to rehabilitate some 50 hectares of land.
READ: WATCH: Experts to be dispatched to illegal Ladysmith diamond mining site
"There are a number of holes which I think varied between half-a-metre to probably a maximum of a metre.
“When it happens with thousands of people, then that entire section becomes degraded and I think the community, in particular, was expressing concern about the risk for cattle.
"Cattles running across will have risk of very serious injury in those kinds of circumstances."
