FILE PHOTO
Johannesburg police have arrested a suspect for his alleged involvement in the Zanzou nightclub controversy.
The 41-year-old man, who's a Congolese national, was arrested in Yeoville by the metro police on Thursday.
It follows the recent release of viral videos that were purportedly taken in 2023, showing a group of young men being tortured and forced to perform sexual acts on themselves.
Three of the five victims, who are between the ages of 20 and 22, have since come forward.
They got into hot water when they could allegedly not honour their bill, resulting in a heated altercation with the club's bouncers.
The suspect, who is expected to appear in court on Monday, has been charged with compelled rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and crimen injuria.
He is also linked with two other cases at the Brooklyn police station.
Spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said JMPD officials were conducting patrols in the Yeoville area in Johannesburg when they noticed the man resembling one of the Hatfield club bouncers they have seen on videos circulating on social media.
She said they stopped the man, and, upon satisfying themselves that, indeed, he was the one they had seen on the videos, they placed him under arrest and detained him at a police station.
"Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences officers were [also] immediately notified," she said.
Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni hailed the breakthrough: "This is a true reflection of law enforcement agencies in Gauteng working together to realise the Police Ministerial Cooperation Agreement, which aims to enhance collaboration and coordination among all stakeholders in the region to address safety and security concerns effectively."
