The Zanzou nightclub in Hatfield, Pretoria, is at the centre of a growing scandal as more disturbing videos of alleged torture and abuse have surfaced online, prompting further police investigations and raising serious questions about the establishment's operations.
The saga began earlier this week when a man known as Pablo, a former bouncer at Zanzou, took to social media to leak footage depicting horrific acts of violence and sexual abuse allegedly committed by the club's security staff. The initial videos, shared on a now-suspended X account, showed five men being tied up, assaulted, and forced to perform sexual acts on themselves, allegedly in January 2023.
These revelations prompted three men to come forward, reporting that they were among five victims who were subjected to similar abuse in January 2023 after a dispute over a bill. The men, reportedly first-year students at the time of the incident, have since opened a case with the police.
On Wednesday, a new X account, @BIGPforpablo, emerged, sharing a series of even more unsettling videos. One video showed a naked man lying on the concrete floor of a storeroom, his ankle tied, while another man beat him with a belt. The victim could be heard screaming and repeatedly apologising.
Guys these people are very dangerous if something happens to me just know it was them im asking the government to protect me pic.twitter.com/DkuxJVLtSp
— Pablo (@BIGPforpablo) February 20, 2025
Another particularly disturbing video depicted a topless man wearing jeans lying on his back with his eyes closed, a man's boot pressed against his face. The victim's condition was unclear, raising concerns about whether he was still alive.
The release of these videos has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, with social media users calling for swift justice and demanding accountability from the nightclub's management.
Two More Complainants Come Forward
Adding to the mounting pressure, Gauteng police confirmed on Thursday that two more complainants have come forward to report incidents of torture that allegedly occurred at Zanzou nightclub in April 2022.
According to the complaints, these incidents also involved brutal assaults and sexual abuse within the club's storeroom, echoing the accounts of the previous victims.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said they are investigating a case of compelled rape, kidnapping, crimen injuria, intimidation and assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm. "No one has been arrested yet, the investigation team is following all leads as [the] investigation continues," she said.
Establishment Cordoned Off, Liquor Licence Suspended
In response to the allegations, the Zanzou nightclub has been cordoned off and is being treated as a crime scene. The Gauteng Liquor Board has also suspended the establishment's liquor trading licence pending investigations.
These measures indicate the seriousness with which authorities are treating the allegations and the potential for severe consequences for the nightclub if the claims are substantiated.
Mistaken Identity and a Missing Person
The emergence of the videos has also led to confusion and distress for the family of Kulani Shirinda, who disappeared in August 2023. Social media users immediately linked the video of the seemingly unconscious man to Shirinda, prompting a wave of calls and messages to his family.
His sister, Amukelani Shirinda, told TimesLIVE that she was receiving calls and texts from people claiming that her missing brother was in the videos. "What is happening is very disturbing and traumatic for me and, especially, my mother. People are insisting it is him but it is not. The missing post has been shared on social media and I just want it to stop and for people to stop calling us. We still have not found my brother," she said.
She clarified that the person in the video does not resemble her brother, and pleaded with the public to stop spreading misinformation and causing further distress to her family.
Amukelani explained that Shirinda was last seen in Hillbrow after a night out with four friends. The group was apparently headed to the Maboneng district and Shirinda requested an Uber to take him back to his student accommodation. However, two minutes before the Uber arrived, Shirinda apparently cancelled the request.
"According to his friends, a white bakkie then stopped and he got into it. He was never seen again. When we looked at the footage, we could see that he had been drinking and police noticed that the number plate was not registered to the bakkie but to a Mercedes-Benz. We still don’t know where he is."
She added that the family had received numerous calls from scammers claiming to be Shirinda or claiming to know his whereabouts, demanding money. "We have tried everything to find him but nothing is coming forward."
The mistaken identity highlights the sensitivity surrounding the case and the potential for misinformation to spread rapidly on social media, causing further pain and anguish to those affected.
City of Tshwane Uncovers More Videos
The City of Tshwane has also become involved in the investigation, with Tshwane Health MMC Tshegofatso Mashebla revealing that the municipality has obtained nearly 45 videos showing patrons being abused by security guards at Zanzou nightclub.
"We received close to 45 videos, and we just saw a circulating video whereby the person who came out with this information says that he has 75 videos that he is going to share with the public, including the fact that there were lives of people that were robbed in this establishment," Mashebla said.
The municipality is working to acquire more footage and is cooperating with law enforcement agencies in the investigation.
Owners Deny Association with the Establishment
Adding another layer of complexity to the case, investors, partners, and businessmen known as the owners of Zanzou have all denied any association with the establishment. This raises questions about the true ownership and management structure of the nightclub and who ultimately bears responsibility for the alleged abuses.
The Search for Justice
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on identifying and apprehending the perpetrators, providing support to the victims, and ensuring that justice is served. The case also raises broader questions about the regulation and oversight of nightclubs and the need for greater accountability to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The public is urged to come forward with any information that may assist the investigation. The victims of these alleged crimes deserve justice, and the community deserves to know the truth about what happened at Zanzou nightclub.
