Sizwe Dhlomo Slams JHB Youth for Opening Car Doors During Spring Day Water Fights

• Sizwe Dhlomo called out reckless Spring Day behaviour in Johannesburg after videos of youth ambushing motorists went viral on 1 September
• Clips circulating online showed groups of young people surrounding vehicles, flinging buckets of water at drivers and public transport passengers
• The broadcaster's post sparked a fierce debate between those defending the long-standing tradition and those calling it outright thuggery

Spring Day took a chaotic turn this year, and broadcaster Sizwe Dhlomo was not keeping quiet about it. The media personality took to X to condemn scenes of youth in Johannesburg targeting motorists during the annual 1 September water fight celebrations, sparking a conversation that quickly got out of hand online.

Dhlomo expressed disbelief at footage showing young people surrounding vehicles, wrenching car doors open, and hurling buckets of water at drivers and commuters who had no say in the matter. He wrote:

"Kids in JHB are really opening car doors & throwing water buckets at adults! SMH!"

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Spring Day celebrations or public endangerment?

Viral videos from 1 September showed groups of youth blocking roads and drenching unsuspecting motorists, raising serious concerns about driver safety, damaged vehicle electronics, and the targeting of people who simply wanted no part in the festivities.

Mzansi divided over tradition vs boundaries

The replies to Dhlomo's post drew sharp lines between those defending the cultural tradition and those calling it something far less innocent.

ManziniZungu_ said bluntly:

"It's no longer a celebration of Spring. It's thuggery!"

Keke28763362 added:

"Those people look like they're in grade 12 and beyond. They are not splashing each other with water but old men from work. And when the men refuse, they mob assault them. But you can always spot people who'll never be anything in life."

Spitjo52255974 weighed in:

"Kasi has become a place of Hooligans and is disgusting."

MncwaMusa flagged a lack of police presence:

"Everywhere in the country unfortunately, but Men in Blue here were nowhere to be seen."

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Vlademir_duma directed frustration at those defending the practice:

"And stupid adults here are defending them in the name of stupid tradition."

CallMagz expanded the geography of the problem:

"Not only JHB, Kids everywhere. Wth is also wrong with the kids."

Zamavilakazi3 pushed back on the idea that it was widespread:

"And this can only happen in Joburg; in other places, older people are respected."

Young boy died during Spring Day celebrations

A 21-year-old man died after an altercation broke out during Spring Day celebrations in Refilwe, Cullinan.

A 53-year-old man allegedly stabbed the young man after a group of youths tried to pour water over him.

Source: Briefly News