Police on the hunt for Zanzou nightclub terror suspects
POLICE in Gauteng have launched a manhunt for security officials who were working at the Zanzou nightclub in Pretoria after videos of torture, assault and compelled rape emerged.
IOL reported on Monday night that three victims who were allegedly assaulted at the Pretoria nightclub reported at the Brooklyn police station after the videos showing extreme violence and torture perpetrated by Zanzou nightclub bouncers went viral on social media.
The clips, which are highly graphic and depict severe human rights violations - including acts tantamount to kidnapping, sexual assault, and attempted murder - show men hogtied and filmed naked with their limbs bound.
In an update, provincial commissioner of police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni said investigations have so far established that the incidents happened around 2023.
"We happened to learn that these incidents happened somewhere in 2023. We must clearly indicate that this incident constitutes some typical type of compelled rape, and it is not excluded from sexual assault to force individuals to perform sexual acts; assault GHB; crimen injuria and kidnapping," Mthombeni said during an update with journalists at the police station.
He added that different law enforcement agencies have activated measures to ensure compliance at the popular Pretoria joint.
Police are also calling on more victims to come forward.
"Witnesses and those who have knowledge of the incident are also encouraged to come forward to assist police investigations," said national police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.
Wendy Alberts, chief executive officer of the Restaurants Association of South Africa (RASA) said in her decades of involvement in the restaurants sector, she had not seen anything close to the torture unleashed at the Zanzou nightclub.
The clips, which are highly graphic and depict severe human rights violations - including acts tantamount to kidnapping, sexual assault, and attempted murder.
Speaking to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, Alberts said the videos depict shocking incidents which she had not come to terms with.
"I cannot believe something like this can happen in today's age, and that they have been violated to the degree that that they have been violated. That is just not something I have ever, in my 20 to 30 years of being in this industry, even had sight of. I cannot comprehend that there are people that could cross the line so dramatically and it is so devastating that these young kids have been exposed to this type of torture. It is just not acceptable on any level," she said.
As police investigate what sparked the incident, Alberts highlighted that there are numerous, professional ways for the establishment and the security, which meted out the gruesome violence, to have handled the situation.
"I can say this not common. There are so many other ways to have dealt with this in a dignified, professional way if somebody had not paid their bills. And these are young boys, it is probably their first time they had gone out to have an experience. They were traumatised to this extent," said Albert.
On Monday night, national police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said police are currently looking at various offences that have been committed including rape, assault, assault GBH, 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," she said.
Mathe said Mthombeni was at the police station with the victims.
More victims have been called to come forward.
"Witnesses and those who have knowledge of the incident are also encouraged to come forward to assist police investigations," she said.
DAILY NEWS