Graphic Videos of Torture at Pretoria Nightclub Spark Police Investigation
Image: Zanzou nightclub in Pretoria
PRETORIA, GAUTENG – Disturbing videos circulating on social media have prompted a police investigation into allegations of extreme violence and torture at the Zanzou nightclub in Pretoria. The graphic clips appear to show the club’s bouncers assaulting patrons, raising serious human rights concerns and prompting widespread condemnation.
The videos depict men hogtied, naked, and with bound limbs, suggesting acts tantamount to kidnapping, sexual assault, and attempted murder. National police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, confirmed that police are investigating multiple offenses, including rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, crimen injuria, and kidnapping.
“The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, has directed the Provincial Commissioner of Gauteng, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, to track and trace suspects who are alleged to have violently abused and assaulted a group of men at a popular nightclub in Pretoria,” Mathe stated. General Masemola has urged all victims of the abuse to open a case at the Brooklyn police station or any nearby police station, and called on witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
Zanzou nightclub management released a statement acknowledging the videos and announcing the dismissal of the security personnel involved. “We have since outsourced our security service to a fully registered and compliant security company that operates strictly in accordance with South African laws and regulations,” the statement read. The club denied that the violence was related to patrons failing to pay their bills, as had been widely reported on social media. Instead, they claim a man identified as Mr. Herve attempted to extort the establishment by threatening to release the videos.
Adding another layer to the developing story, a man identifying himself as Pablo, a former bouncer at Zanzou, has claimed responsibility for leaking the videos. In a TikTok video posted under the username @pabloizi0, Pablo alleges he worked at the club for seven years and witnessed numerous instances of torture and abuse. He claims to possess over 75 videos and plans to release them in the coming days, offering “details, all the proof, all the pictures and all the confirmation.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have called for the arrest of the club owner, Stephane Cohen, and the immediate closure of the nightclub. “Such abhorrent behaviour cannot be tolerated in a society that prides itself on upholding human dignity and justice. The EFF strongly believes that there is no reason whatsoever, to justify the dehumanization of other people like that,” said Nkululeko Dunga, the EFF’s Gauteng chairperson. The party has also stated their intention to report the incident to the Human Rights Commission of South Africa.
The police investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to contact them. The emergence of these videos and the subsequent allegations have sparked outrage and calls for justice, raising serious questions about security practices and human rights within the South African nightlife scene.
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