Tshwane – What began as traditional Spring Day water fights descended into violence and destruction in parts of Tshwane, with two municipal buses damaged, more than 300 passengers affected and a 21-year-old man allegedly stabbed to death.
South Africans marked Spring Day on 1 September with the customary practice of splashing water on one another. However, videos circulating on social media showed groups of young people in parts of Tshwane targeting passing motorists, taxis, buses, delivery drivers and pedestrians with buckets of water.
The celebrations included incidents in which bus drivers were drenched, a delivery driver was knocked from his motorcycle and members of the public were repeatedly targeted despite not participating in the festivities.
South Africans mark Spring Day on September 1 with a playful water-throwing tradition to welcome the new season, seen here as a township crowd drenches a passing bus with buckets.’ pic.twitter.com/BztQReRWPt
— Standfit X (@odunay_official) September 2, 2026
The disruption also affected public transport.
Rekord reported that two Tshwane buses were damaged in separate incidents in Lotus Gardens and Danville.
In Lotus Gardens, a group allegedly blocked a bus, verbally abused the driver and climbed onto the roof. In Danville, youths reportedly poured water over another bus before throwing buckets and a stone, shattering a side window. No injuries were reported, but both buses were removed from service.
Tshwane Bus Service condemned the conduct, saying: “Our kids and community went overboard and damaged assets that serve them”, leaving more than 300 passengers without transport, many of them pupils and students.
The City of Tshwane described the incidents as “reckless and unlawful conduct”, warning that they put passengers, drivers and other road users at risk. The city also said damage to municipal property was a criminal offence and that law enforcement would be involved.
Kids are busy disrespecting adults in the name of Spring day.
This is so upsetting. pic.twitter.com/rzh448pkPk— Ms SthembiD❤💰📖 (@SthembiD) September 2, 2026
The celebrations also turned deadly in Refilwe, near Cullinan, where 21-year-old Tshepang Nyathi was allegedly stabbed following an altercation after a group attempted to splash water on a 53-year-old man.
According to eNCA, the suspect allegedly stabbed Nyathi before fleeing. Community members reportedly caught and assaulted him before police arrived. He was taken to a medical facility and subsequently arrested. He is expected to face a murder charge in the Cullinan Magistrate’s Court.
Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the circumstances remained under investigation and urged communities not to take the law into their own hands.
“The police urge members of the community to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and to allow the police to deal with criminal incidents through lawful processes,” she said.
TimesLIVE reported that Nyathi’s family was struggling to understand how a long-standing Spring Day tradition could have ended in such tragedy. His aunt, Monino Nyathi, said the family was shocked by the escalation of the incident.
The incidents have renewed concerns over the way Spring Day water fights are being conducted, particularly when people who are not participating, public transport vehicles and municipal property are targeted.
As one social media user put it: “This is not how Spring Day is done.”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
