The Gauteng Liquor Board has suspended liquor licence of the controversial Pretoria nightclub, Zanzou.

GLB spokesperson Cleo Bodibe-Lushaba said the Zanzou nightclub - which was registered under the name Zoolida (Pty) Ltd and which was trading under the name and style Zanzou Night Club, had its liquor licence suspended with immediate effect.

Bodibe-Lushaba said the nightclub was being suspended due to “severe non-compliance and egregious violations of the law”.

Gauteng police this week launched a manhunt for at least eight suspects after shocking videos went viral, showing young male patrons being beaten while naked, forced to insert bottles in their private parts, masturbate and were being violently waterboarded.

The videos went viral on Monday night after a bouncer called Pablo blew the lid over the incidences which appear to have taken place in January 2023.

No arrests have been made so far.

Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.

I don't own Zanzou

Meanwhile, as the drama around the nightclub continues to unfold, lawyer-cum-businessman, Katlego Malatji, went public this week and distanced himself from the business he ran with Neo Moela.

He showed emails on social media, which showed that he had expressed an intention to resign from the business in July 2023.

Another businessman, French-born Stephanes Cohen, who owns Drama, Coco, Opera, Montana and Louis nightclubs in Joburg and Cape Town, has distanced himself from Zanzou, with associates close to him providing CIPC records that showed he was never listed as a director for Zanzou, which was registered in May 2019.

Cohen’s associate said he was involved in the design of the nightclub, but he had no links to the underfire nightclub. They also said he used to own the previous club, Moloko, which operated on the same site between 2010 and 2019.

“Stephanes has been dragged into something that has nothing to do with him, people don’t care, they want to look for someone to blame. Unfortunately, the people who are supposed to be blamed are getting away with it, but he has nothing to do with that place, he is not racist and he has never been involved in running the place,” he said.

Cohen himself issued a statement earlier this week distancing himself and threatening legal action against those who linked him to Zanzou.

In terms of Zanzou’s liquor licence being suspended, Bodibe-Lushaba said it was being effected in terms of sections 106(5) and 117(1) of the Act, following allegations and a video depicting acts of ill-treatment, torture, and sexual assault of individuals identified as employees and/or patrons of the establishment.

“These incidents have raised significant concerns regarding the safety and lawful operation of the premises. Section 29(1) of the Act mandates all licensees to comply with their obligations and responsibilities as stipulated by law.

“In addition, section 45(1)requires licensed premises to adhere to all applicable laws, including municipal by-laws and national regulations.

“The licensee has demonstrably failed to meet these legal requirements. Furthermore, Section127(i) of the Act explicitly classifies any contravention of the Act as an offence,” said Bodibe-Lushaba.

The liquor board said given the gravity of the potential threat posed to public safety, they had resolved to suspend the liquor licence of Zanzou Night Club pending the conclusion of a formal inquiry under Section 106 of the Act, as well as the completion of ongoing SAPS investigations.

“The GLB remains committed to ensuring that all liquor license holders operate in a manner that upholds the law and protects the public.

“Establishments found to be in violation of the Act will face appropriate regulatory and legal consequences,” said Bodibe-Lushaba.

IOL

Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.

gauteng liquor board

Gauteng Liquor Board suspends Zanzou nightclub's licence amid torture scandal