Calls have mounted for the Zanzou nightclub in Pretoria to be closed down permanently after horrific acts of sexual abuse, assault, and torture of patrons were captured on video and widely shared.

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While the club is under police investigation, the South Human Rights Commission have also launched a probe, while the DA in Tshwane have said Zanzou has been running an illegal nightclub as it was not zoned for this purpose.

The DA’s spokesperson on Health Dikeledi Selowa told eNCA their investigation revealed Zanzou was zoned as a Category 1 business, preventing it from operating as a nightclub.

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has urged victims and witnesses to come forward. Department spokesperson Kgalalelo Masibi has also called upon law enforcement agencies to act swiftly and decisively in investigating this ”grave violation of human rights.”

“The barbaric and inhumane treatment of individuals, as seen in the videos, must be met with the full force of the law to uphold justice and reaffirm the principle that human rights are non-negotiable.”

The Department has called for the immediate closure of Zanzou nightclub until a full and thorough investigation is concluded.

The South African Human Rights Commission has confirmed that its Gauteng Provincial Office has opened its own investigation in line with the Complaints Handling Procedure.

The Commission has also called on the victims and other people who may have witnessed these events to contact the SAPS and the Commission.

The SAHRC has further urged the public to refrain from sharing or forwarding images and videos depicting violence or abuse on social media platforms.

“Such actions may constitute serious offences under South African law, including crimen injuria, which involves the unlawful and intentional impairment of another person’s dignity. Additionally, under Section 16 of the Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020, the unlawful and intentional disclosure of an intimate image of another person without their consent is a criminal offence, carrying severe penalties upon conviction.”

Section 24E of the Films and Publications Amendment Act 11 of 2019 also criminalizes the knowing distribution of private sexual photographs and films without the prior consent of the individuals depicted, with the intent to cause them harm.

More videos of torture at Zanzou have come to light, as the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) is also probing whether the security officers involved in the horrific incidents were registered with PSiRA.