Pretoria Club Zanzou Takes Action Against Bouncers After Video of Them Torturing Patrons Goes Viral

• Pretoria establishment Zanzou has condemned the actions of its bouncers allegedly involved in acts of abuse against patrons
• Videos of the incidents went viral after the patrons were reportedly caught stealing cell phones
• South Africans were furious and slammed the bouncers for abusing their power, calling for the victims to open cases against them and the clubs

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Johannesburg, South Africa, covered criminal activities, police investigations, police shootouts and court cases at Daily Sun for over three years.

PRETORIA — Zanzou, a popular club in Pretoria, has taken action against former bouncers who went viral for abusing a group of men who allegedly stole cell phones at the establishment.

What happened at Zanzou?

MDNews posted a statement from the club on its @MDNnewss X account. The statement came after a string of videos of the horrific and inhumane mistreatment the alleged phone thieves experienced at the hands of the club's former security personnel went viral. The videos greatly upset South Africans due to the excessive violence the bouncers used.

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What did the club say?

In response to the videos, the club noted that it was aware of the incident and has since fired the bouncers involved in the incident. It launched an investigation into the incident and denied that the victims were patrons who could not pay their bills. The club also said the bouncer who recorded the videos unsuccessfully tried to extort money from them and is taking legal action.

Read the X statement here:

Violent incidents at nightclubs

• A shootout at a nightclub in Sandton, Johannesburg in January 2024 went viral and in the video, patrons are heard screaming and taking cover.
• Musician Bongani Fassie was hospitalised in October after he got into a fight with an unknown man in a nightclub.
• He later clarified that he got into the brawl because he was assisting a woman who was experiencing abuse.

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What did South Africans say?

Netizens were livid and condemned the actions of the former bouncer.

One person also said this is the norm at many clubs.

"This is a norm at clubs. My friends were accused of cell phone theft at Makubenjalo pub in Diepkloof," @Lebza_Nathan said on Twitter.

Nathan goes on to detail how his friends were also taken to a storeroom, tied up and beaten for "something they knew nothing about."

"So don't let this statement fool you, club owners know about this," Nathan concluded.

Smah said:

"Zanzou saying the videos are not tied to patrons unable to settle the bill means they were aware of these videos prior to them circulating the internet. That place needs to be shut down."

Elvis said:

"Money or no money, this is an abuse of power, and I hope they open a criminal case against the owner of the club."

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Cihoshe said:

"Yoh, a case must be opened against the owner. Black men and women can't be treated like this in this day and age."

Racists must leave said:

"This is madness. They must be arrested."

Tampana said:

"The Human Rights Commission must really attend to this. Where is the dignity of a fellow human being?"

About Zanzou

Zanzou, which is often referred to as The Zou, is a famous lounge and nightclub in the vibrant Hatfield district of Pretoria, South Africa.

It is located at 525 Jan Shoba Street. The lounge has become a notable destination for those seeking a dynamic nightlife experience.

The online community labelled Zanzou a lounge with an opulent and energetic atmosphere, catering primarily to a youthful and avant-garde client base.

The venue offers a blend of vibrant dance floors, well-crafted drinks, and a selection of shisha, all set within a lively environment.

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Patrons have lauded the establishment for its engaging music, predominantly featuring genres like Amapiano and Nigerian sounds, which keep the energy high throughout the night.

Reality TV star's ex shot at nightclub

In a related article, Briefly News reported that the ex-husband of reality TV star and musician Londie London was shot at a nightclub in January 2024. Sphamandla Mabonga was shot in Sunninghill, Gauteng.

A video of the incident went viral and he was rushed to hospital, where he recovered from the shooting. South Africans were concerned about the safety concerns at nightclubs.

Source: Briefly News