PRETORIA – A new video has surfaced depicting the brutal torture of a man inside Zanzou Lounge, a Pretoria nightclub already under intense scrutiny following the release of previous disturbing footage.
The man, who identifies himself as a student from the University of Limpopo, is heard repeating, "Do you hear me? I'm a student from the University of Limpopo okay. And I don't want anything from you. I won't do anything to people like you."
@pabloizi0
Pablo, who worked at Zanzou for seven years, has claimed to possess over 75 additional videos documenting the alleged human rights abuses within the nightclub. He has vowed to release these videos in the coming days, stating his motivation is "for the good of everyone." "That place (Hatfield) has a lot of students…Now this affects the image of the country because people all over the world see what is happening," Pablo said.
@pabloizi0
@pabloizi0
He has also threatened to expose those within the club's management who he claims are corrupt and prioritised their jobs over the well-being of those being abused. "I know that industry and how it works. You guys, all of you that are from management, you are going to push me to say all your names because I can see that you are corrupt. All you care about is losing your job. But you didn't care about all that sh*t that happened."
Pablo further claims that he is not safe and is in possession of a voice note from the owner of the club, allegedly stating that they will meet in court.
@pabloizi0
The release of this latest video comes as police investigate allegations of sexual assault, kidnapping, and assault made by three victims who have come forward following the circulation of the initial disturbing footage. The victims, aged 20, 21, and 22, reported the incidents at the Brooklyn police station. The SAPS has revealed that they are currently investigating serious charges, including compelled rape, assault, crimen injuria, intimidation, and kidnapping. Authorities have flagged these incidents as severe human rights violations.
Pablo has stated, “Everything is true. Everything is 100% true,” and elaborated on fatal incidents at the club, revealing that he has received death threats due to his knowledge of the club’s operations.
The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, has instructed the Provincial Commissioner of Gauteng, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, to swiftly pursue those implicated.
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has also expressed strong condemnation of the actions revealed in the videos, labelling them as a gross infringement of the human rights enshrined in South Africa’s Constitution. In a statement, the department called for a decisive and urgent response from law enforcement agencies, insisting that all those complicit in these violations be held accountable.
In response to the unfolding scandal, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) held a picket outside the nightclub, demanding the immediate arrest of Stephane Cohen, alleged as the the club’s owner, and calling for the establishment’s closure. The party expressed its outrage at the reported dehumanisation of individuals, insisting that no justification exists for the violence depicted in the videos. “The City of Tshwane, and indeed South Africa, is a democratic state, with the rule of law and respect for human rights,” the EFF declared. “We reject any attempt by management to shift blame onto security personnel.”
The organisation Not in My Name has expressed its sorrow over the violence that transpired within Zanzou, echoing calls for justice to be pursued rigorously.
In a statement released yesterday, Zanzou Management acknowledged awareness of the troubling videos depicting violent security responses to theft. They claimed that upon becoming aware of such practices, they initiated an immediate investigation, resulting in the dismissal of the implicated security personnel.
