Hundreds of South Africans dig for 'diamonds' - BBC News

Hundreds of people have descended on a small village in Kwa-Zulu Natal, digging for 'diamonds'.

This comes after a man herding cattle discovered what he thought were diamonds more than week ago. His discovery has prompted people from other provinces to make the trek to join in the search. Some people have found what they believe are precious stones.

Police are also at the scene but appear to be struggling to stop people from digging. The provincial government has described this activity as illegal mining.

#BBCNews

[cmck]

This isn’t about finding ‘fortunes’, it’s about these people looking for their next meal..

[kamzorjan]

I hope they’re all diamonds for these peoples sake.

[aureliuswright]

Illegal for the poor but the rich can send their teams all over to dig up Africa to grow their already enormous fortune.

[TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

Minecraft players: "I've been training for this my whole life"

[josephstalin]

“Illegal mining”, that’s what they call it when the average joe mines, but when it’s powerful corporations then it’s okay.

[kelvinong]

The government said it's illegal to mine because they want to mine first. Classic move

[Vcdvd]

If it's diamond, govt will take over and villagers will get nothing from this fortune

[switch]

*"People finally have a chance to get rich, lets prevent it by saying it's illegal"* -Government

[mcbrianmiller]

did anyone notice the old woman digging? i almost cried

[ettaphil]

Authorities: "These are not diamonds, but we have to cordon off the area". No mining allowed in this area".

[Northside]

Don't let government trick ya,
" it's finders keepers"

[edmundprice]

You could make a fortune selling shovels there

[qinisok]

Poverty and inequality is making South Africans desperate.

[edwinagreen]

It's for the people. Government saying it's illegal in order to come and take to enrich themselves further, creating generational wealth for themselves and their descendants while the majority of the population struggle to even have a decent meal a day. Power to the people, they should take what rightly belongs to them.

[breakme]

Dear Government, Stay away from these people who will soon make their lives better! Genuinely wish those are real diamonds so these people will have a better life! 🙏🙏🙏

[CharlesVeitch]

The heartbreak when it all turns out to be glass or quartz

[khanyi]

Diggers: At least I'll have a meal🤗
South African government(ANC): We'll see about that💁‍♂️

[Asdfgghhhjj]

imagine if the discoverer kept the secret to himself.

[princealex]

It's not Illegal, leave the people to dig for diamonds, its God given..

[only_skunk]

That's not illegal it's there home.