Zanzou nightclub scandal: Eight suspects wanted

Two female officers

Cape Town – Police in Pretoria have initiated a manhunt for at least eight foreign nationals linked to an incident at the Zanzou bar and lounge.

The South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Investigations (FCS) unit, which specialises in sexual offenses, has taken over the investigation, police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said in a statement. 

The charges include compelled rape, assault, crimen injuria, intimidation, and kidnapping.

Following a police appeal for victims to come forward, three victims aged 20, 21, and 22 have reported to the Brooklyn police station.

“The main charges that are being investigated by the Saps are the following: compelled rape, assault, crimen injuria, intimidation and kidnapping, police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said.

“Following a call by the Saps for victims to come forward, the SAPS confirms that only three victims aged 20, 21 and 22 reported at the Brooklyn police station on Monday evening. According to the victims, they were a group of five friends who were subjected to the abuse. Police are confident that the other two victims will be traced and their statements will also be included in the docket,” Mathe said.

Disturbing videos from Zanzou nightclub went viral on social media, showing severe violence and torture allegedly committed by the club’s bouncers against patrons who supposedly did not pay their bills.

The graphic footage included extreme human rights violations such as kidnapping, sexual assault, and attempted murder, with victims being bound, waterboarded, and assaulted, IOL reported.

In response, the club’s management acknowledged the videos, saying that an investigation was launched and the responsible security personnel were dismissed.

“At the time when management became aware of the practices, an immediate investigation was conducted in the immediate halting of such as well as the dismissal of security personnel responsible,” the management said in a statement.

They also said they had outsourced security services to a compliant company and emphasised their commitment to maintaining a safe environment.

“We have since outsourced our security services to a fully registered and compliant security company that operates strictly in accordance with South African laws and regulations. We have also instructed our staff to comply with the law and SAPS in bringing thieves to book.”

Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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