The South African Police Service says it has launched a manhunt for at least eight foreign national suspects in connection with an alleged torture incident at Zanzou nightclub in Pretoria. The SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Investigations (FCS) unit has taken over the investigation, given the serious nature of the offences.
This is after video footage recently surfaced depicting acts of abuse against people who allegedly did not settle their bills. In the footage, men are seen with little to no clothes, bound, and some are seen waterboarded.
National police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, says the victims allege that they were also assaulted and forced to perform sexual acts on themselves.
“The victims allege that the incident happened in January 2023 wherein a dispute arose between the five friends, bouncers and manager of the nightclub. The bouncers and manager allegedly forced the five victims into a store room and began assaulting them.”
Mathe says the main charges against the suspects include compelled rape, assault, crimen injuria, intimidation, and kidnapping.
Three victims reported the crimes to the Brooklyn Police Station, in Pretoria, 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 says detectives are also searching for a man known as ‘Pablo’ on social media, who claims to be a former bouncer at the nightclub, to assist with the investigation. Officials believe he could provide critical information.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has strongly condemned the incident, labelling the acts as barbaric and a violation of fundamental human rights. The department emphasised that no individual or establishment is above the law and has called for the immediate closure of Zanzou nightclub pending further investigations.
“We call upon law enforcement agencies and all relevant constitutional structures to act swiftly and decisively in investigating this grave violation of human rights. The perpetrators of this shameful act must be held accountable to ensure that justice is served without delay,” read the statement by the Department of Justice.
Zanzou nightclub management has denied claims that the incident is linked to outstanding bills, instead attributing the “excessive and violent force” by security personnel as a reaction to “incidents of phone theft by the individuals” in the video.
