In the Gugulethu section of Payneville informal settlement in Springs, hundreds of residents have been digging up land they believe contains gold particles. This activity began earlier last week after rumours spread that someone had found gold. The area being dug up is used as a kraal (cattle enclosure). A woman carries a bucket filled with soil while searching for alleged gold deposits at Gugulethu informal settlement, in Springs on 16 February 2026. A woman who did not want to be named fills a bag with soil while searching for alleged gold deposits at Gugulethu informal settlement, Women dig through soil in search of alleged gold deposits at Gugulethu informal settlement, in Springs. ( Women carry buckets to collect soil while searching for alleged gold deposits at Gugulethu informal settlement, in Springs. A resident fills up bags with soil while searching for alleged gold deposits at Gugulethu informal settlement, in Springs. Residents fill up buckets with soil as they continue searching for alleged gold deposits at Gugulethu informal settlement, in Springs. A woman carries a bucket filled with soil while searching for alleged gold deposits at Gugulethu informal settlement, in Springs. Residents of Gugulethu informal settlement dig into the ground in Springs following rumours of alleged gold deposits. More residents of Gugulethu informal settlement dig into the ground in Springs following rumours of alleged gold deposits. More residents carry bags filled with soil as they continue searching for alleged gold deposits at Gugulethu informal settlement, in Springs. Residents prepare makeshift tables to wash soil while searching for alleged gold deposits at Gugulethu informal settlement, in Springs. Makeshift tables to wash soil in search of alleged gold deposits at Gugulethu informal settlement, in Springs. A resident carries a generator to draw water from a nearby water hole while washing soil in search of alleged gold deposits at Gugulethu informal settlement, in Springs Residents carry makeshift tables to wash soil in search of alleged gold deposits at Gugulethu informal settlement, in Springs. A resident washes soil on a makeshift table while searching for alleged gold deposits at Gugulethu informal settlement, in Springs. A resident washes soil on a makeshift table while searching for alleged gold deposits at Gugulethu informal settlement, in Springs. Residents wash soil on a makeshift table in their search for alleged gold deposits at Gugulethu informal settlement, in Springs. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla) Residents wash soil on a makeshift table in their search for alleged gold deposits at Gugulethu informal settlement, in Springs. Residents wash soil on a makeshift table in their search for alleged gold deposits at Gugulethu informal settlement, in Springs. Some gold deposits are visible on a panning plate as residents sift soil at Gugulethu informal settlement, in Springs Post navigation How Stella Ndabeni and the mining industry are getting the SME groove back Backed into a corner: Mining’s role in green energy creates an efficiency paradox