Author Jackie Phamotse calls for club culture reform after disturbing incident at Zanzou
Author and social activist Jackie Phamotse is sounding the alarm on safety issues within the club culture, following the emergence of disturbing videos from the Pretoria nightclub, Zanzou.
The footage, which has since gone viral on social media, depicts the shocking assault and humiliation of five young men at the venue, igniting widespread outrage across the digital landscape.
The incident has put Zanzou under intense scrutiny, with many calling for its immediate closure.
In a plea on X, Phamotse urged individuals to reconsider the safety of club environments.
“For your safety, get out of Club Culture! If you value your life, never go to clubs. That entire scene is demonic and disgusting,” she stated emphatically.
"Why eat and drink with murderers, rapists and mafias? No one is safe in that space. How do you trust people so much with your safety?”
Phamotse’s comments resonated with many, leading to a heated conversation among social media users.
Her insistence on accountability for the nightclub’s management has struck a chord; she called for all available CCTV footage to be collected as evidence, emphasising that it is the responsibility of the owners and management to report crimes occurring within their establishments.
“They must be held accountable for concealing a crime. None of them reported the abuse, kidnapping, molestation, torture, etc.
The security guards should have been arrested too,” she declared.
Furthermore, she encouraged all victims of similar incidents to come forward, reinforcing that collective voices can drive change.
“It doesn’t matter how long ago it was, you can be heard NOW!”
For your safety, get out of Club Culture! If you value your life, never go to clubs. That entire scene is demonic and disgusting. Why eat and drink with murders, rapist and mafia’s? No one is safe in that space. How do you trust people so much with your safety?
— Jackie Phamotse (@JackiePhamotse) February 17, 2025
Responses to Phamotse's post have been mixed. Some users agreed with her touching assertions, stating that safety is paramount.
“Clubs are so unsafe, all of them need to be investigated immediately. The stuff that would be uncovered would be shocking,” one user noted, indicating the systemic issues that might be at play within club operations and regulatory oversight.
In light of the Zanzou incident, the Gauteng Liquor Board has swiftly suspended the nightclub's operating licence, citing ongoing criminal investigations as the primary reason.
This decisive action follows the courageous step of some victims, who have begun to come forward, prompting police to launch a manhunt for at least eight suspects believed to be involved in the assault.
As the conversation around club safety escalates, it raises critical questions about the nightlife culture in South Africa and the measures organisations and individuals must undertake to ensure the safety of patrons.