Zikalala added that the illegal mining activities could be in violation of the COvid-19 regulations. 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,” Zikalala said. “We are worried that if not brought under control the situation could result in chaos and a possible stampede. “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,” Zikalala said.

He added that a team from Mintek (the council for Mineral Technology) and GCS (the Council for Geoscience), which will include a geologist, would be dispatched to inspect the stones residents had discovered. He said the matter had been referred to the national Department of Minerals and Energy, which had promised to dispatch enforcement and compliance unit teams to conduct a site inspection. Images and videos have been circulating on social media where some involved in the illegal mining are seen celebrating in belief that they had struck it rich,” Mabaso said in a statement released on Sunday. “This activity follows the discovery by some of what they believe to be the precious stones.

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