Wendy Alberts, the chief executive officer of the Restaurants Association of South Africa (RASA), expressed shock and disbelief over the disturbing events at Zanzou nightclub in Pretoria, describing the alleged torture and violence as something she had never witnessed in her decades of experience in the hospitality industry. The chilling videos, which have since gone viral, depict acts of extreme violence by the nightclub’s bouncers, including kidnapping, sexual assault, and attempted murder. The graphic footage shows men bound and filmed in degrading conditions, with their limbs tied and their bodies exposed, highlighting severe human rights abuses.
In an interview with broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, Alberts revealed that she found it impossible to come to terms with the videos. “I cannot believe something like this can happen in today’s age, and that they have been violated to the degree that they have been violated,” she said. With over 20 years in the industry, Alberts stressed that she had never encountered such horrific behavior. “It is so devastating that these young kids have been exposed to this type of torture. It is just not acceptable on any level.”
Alberts expressed particular concern for the young victims who had endured such trauma and recommended counseling to help them recover and reintegrate into society. “These are young boys, it’s probably their first time they had gone out to have an experience,” she said, emphasizing how traumatizing the incident must have been for them. She also pointed out that there were many professional and dignified ways the nightclub and its security staff could have handled the situation, especially if there was an issue with unpaid bills.
As the investigation into the incident unfolds, Gauteng police have opened a case, looking into multiple offences, including rape, assault, GBH (grievous bodily harm), crimen injuria, and kidnapping. Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, national police spokesperson, confirmed the ongoing investigation and stated that the South African Police Service (SAPS) is tracking down those responsible for the brutal assault.
Mathe also confirmed that more victims have come forward, and witnesses are being urged to assist police with their investigations. “The national commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, has directed the provincial commissioner of Gauteng, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, to track and trace the suspects involved in this violent abuse,” she said, adding that Mthombeni was with the victims at the police station as part of the investigation.
The incident has sparked outrage and calls for justice, with many questioning how such an extreme and dehumanizing act could take place in a public space. As police continue their work, the wider community has been left grappling with the shocking reality of what took place at one of Pretoria’s well-known nightclubs.
