Local mayor Dixie Nciki told News24 that the discovery was made in KwaMachi village last week by construction workers who were digging for stones to be used for road paving. "They did not get the usual black quarry that they are used to," she said. "Instead, they discovered a material that looked like gold."

The news quickly spread, attracting buyers from further afield. Villagers have reportedly been digging away with axes, pickaxes and shovels day and night to capitalise on the demand. But it is not yet known whether the material they have found is real gold or fool's gold, Ms Nciki told News24. She adds that samples have been sent away for laboratory testing.