A paddler of the Dambulamanzi Canoe Club in Emmarentia went for what he thought would be a normal day of kayaking a week ago and stumbled across one of the biggest treasures ever found in the history of Joburg.
Paddler Gerrie du Plooy could hardly contain his excitement when he told his incredible story.
Du Plooy explained that he went for a paddle on Emmarentia Dam in a kayak he was testing out last week. The kayak tipped over and he fell into the dam. “I saw something at the bottom of the dam. It was shiny and I thought it was a watch,” said Du Plooy.
The club’s general manager, Jason Brown, explained that paddlers put their watches in the front of their kayaks and therefore it makes sense that Du Plooy thought that it might be a watch. “I then dove down and saw a heap of gold coins,” said Du Plooy.
Divers contracted by the City of Joburg rushed to the dam. The comprehensive investigation that followed confirmed that the coins were actually the long-lost Kruger millions. One 1892 dated gold coin is worth around £1 100 which amounts to about R23 000 per coin. The current value of the Kruger Millions is still to be determined.
History, however, revealed that President Paul Kruger took two million British pounds – colloquially known as the Kruger Millions – with him when he escaped to Europe in 1900. He traveled along the Lowveld, which is why people believed that the Kruger Millions were actually buried there.
Jenny Moodley, the spokesperson of City Parks and Zoo, confirmed the find. “It is with great joy that we heard that a paddler had discovered the incredible treasure at Emmarentia Dam,” said Moodley.
She further said that Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo hopes that this new found wealth will ensure that the entity will work as a collective to reclaim the beauty and vibrancy of one of the most pristine public spaces in the city – to offer the best outdoor experience in Joburg.
“The first gold was mined in Joburg and it, therefore, makes sense that in every park and open space in the City there are layers of gold that need to be unearthed for future generations,” added Moodley.
She, however, urged people not to take the search in their own hands as this is now a matter in the hands of the City of Johannesburg.
Du Plooy said that he expects to get a cut of the Kruger Pounds seeing that he found them.
Details: Gerrie du Plooy, 011 277 3665 (APR FOOL).
Related articles:
GALLERY: Emmarentia Dam hosts Dabs Classic Four Hour Enduro
