TikTok ‘Luh Twizzy’ challenge for teenagers causes chaos at mall
Customers and concerned citizens have used social media platforms to denounce the unruly behaviour of a group of teenagers allegedly causing chaos in the Mall of Africa in Midrand last weekend. They have further called on parents of teenagers to start parenting.
Owen Siphiwe Masango, the father of a teenager and resident of Thokoza, said in a Facebook post: “Dear parents please go research what is LUH [TWIZZY] ... so that tomorrow you won’t be surprised if you are told your teenager is behind bars or in a hospital or dead after visiting a mall!”
The allegations are that, on Saturday, 25 March, a group of more than 40 teenagers ran around the Mall of Africa, causing disruptions for shoppers. It is alleged that a teenage boy was stabbed during the chaos.
In a statement, the Mall of Africa management has confirmed the chaos and criticised the disruptive behaviour, but denied any fatality. However, it declined to give its own account of what happened when DM168 requested comment.
It is further alleged that the teenagers calling themselves “Luh Twizzy” are on a mission to cause chaos in Joburg malls and that this was not their first or last appearance.
In June last year, the group is reported to have also caused havoc at Montecasino.
Ayanda Ntuli, a 702 radio digital content producer, said: “Luh Twizzy is a group of fans of American rappers Yeat and Playboi Carti who are mostly in high school. They fill up malls to roam around and drink and smoke weed…”
Their aim is to cause chaos at upmarket malls and leave. The trend follows an alleged TikTok challenge, the Luh Twizzy challenge, all in the name of being a “cool kid” – a trendsetter; one considered worthy of emulation for their fashion sense.
A supposed “Luh Twizzy” member, Junior Monopho, said on Facebook: “It was never meant to go like that and it is not a cult, it’s just teenagers having fun! It’s not a big deal. Why are you guys attacking us, this is our way to have fun #freethemluhtwizzies.”
The mall management says it will get to the bottom of the disturbance by working hand in hand with the South African Police Service (SAPS). Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said no case of murder or inquest had been opened. It is unclear what SAPS will do to prevent similar incidents from happening in future. DM168