The City of Tshwane has strongly condemned the nightclub’s management for its silence on violent incidents involving patrons and security personnel.
This controversy erupted earlier this week when disturbing videos circulated on social media, depicting young men being sexually and physically assaulted in a storeroom at the venue. The graphic footage quickly went viral, leading to widespread calls for justice and accountability.
Following the public outcry, Zanzou released a statement asserting that it had dismissed the bouncers involved in the abuse. However, Tshwane Health MMC Tshegofatso Mashabela criticized the nightclub’s response as wholly inadequate.
“If a person has stolen your phone, you know what to do. You need to call law enforcement and subject them to the rules of this country. You don’t have to subject them to a bucket of hot water and all those incriminating videos that we have seen here,” Mashabela stated.
Her remarks underscored the severity of the situation and the nightclub’s failure to follow appropriate legal protocols. Instead of reporting the crimes to authorities, Zanzou’s staff allegedly took matters into their own hands, engaging in vigilante-style actions that have now become the subject of a criminal investigation.
Mashabela emphasized that the issue goes beyond the actions of individual employees, pointing to a broader management failure.
“We can safely say that it is a management issue that we are dealing with here. It’s no longer about the employees but the owners of this industry, [and] how they run and operate the affairs,” she said.
Her comments suggest that Zanzou’s leadership may have fostered or tolerated an environment in which violence against patrons was allowed to escalate unchecked.
Adding to the controversy, Mashabela revealed that the security company responsible for hiring the nightclub’s bouncers was not in compliance with security regulations. This raises serious questions about Zanzou’s hiring practices and whether proper due diligence was conducted when contracting security personnel. The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) mandates strict adherence to security regulations to safeguard public safety, yet it appears that these standards were not upheld.
The incident at Zanzou has intensified concerns about nightclub safety and security in Pretoria. Many are now questioning how establishments like Zanzou are allowed to operate despite recurring reports of misconduct.
Community members have taken to social media to express their concerns, with numerous calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and severe consequences for venues that fail to protect their patrons.
In response, Tshwane officials have pledged to continue investigating the matter and ensure that all responsible parties are held accountable. Mashabela’s firm stance suggests that further action could be taken against Zanzou and its management, potentially leading to criminal charges or even the revocation of its operating license.
Meanwhile, the victims of the assaults are reportedly cooperating with law enforcement as efforts continue to bring those responsible to justice.
The scandal surrounding Zanzou nightclub serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities that nightclub owners and security personnel bear in ensuring the safety of patrons. Failing to report and address criminal behavior not only erodes public trust but also allows dangerous environments to persist.
As the investigation unfolds, all eyes will be on Zanzou and how it chooses to respond. For now, the nightclub remains at the center of a growing scandal that has shaken Pretoria’s nightlife scene, prompting renewed calls for justice, transparency, and accountability.