Hundreds of residents in Payneville, an informal settlement near Springs, have flocked to a local kraal following rumours that gold particles were discovered in the soil.
Driven by high unemployment and economic hardship, community members began digging frantically, hoping to cash in on a potential windfall.
“A lot of people are unemployed here, so any means to make money is always welcome” said one resident.
Land owners have reportedly allowed residents to dig and collect soil for between R20 and R50. While some claim the area is an old mine dump, others believe it may be linked to a sewer line, adding to uncertainty about the legitimacy of the discovery.
The speculation has drawn large crowds, after residents arrived with spades and buckets. In the midst of the frenzy, one digger joked “Our cows have produced gold for us.”
Metro police have since been deployed to disperse the crowds and restore order, as tensions rise between desperate residents and authorities.
The incident has sparked mixed reactions within the community. While some see a rare economic opportunity, others remain sceptical about whether any real gold exists at the site.
