Expert says Zanzou suspects exhibit psychopathic traits

Photo Credit: EFF

As pressure mounts for the police find the men behind the Zanzou torture, Clinical psychologist, Dr Shaheda Omar, has painted a picture of the long recovery journey that awaits the victims.

The Clinical Director at the Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children says the young men will require lifelong interventions and therapeutic support.

Her remarks come as South Africans reel from the shocking and harrowing viral videos of the torture and sexual assault the five young men endured at the hands of Zanzou nightclub bouncers in Pretoria.

The videos have sparked public outrage with some saying they’ve lifted the lid on the dark things that take place at some of the country’s clubs.

So far, three of the victims have come forward to open criminal cases against their perpetrators.

There have also been calls from the public and civil society groups for the club to be shut down.

The police have requested South Africans to assist with information that could lead to the arrest of the eight men implicated in the scandal.

Dr Omar has highlighted the need for the victims’ families to support the young men ensuring that they are sensitive to their emotions and reminding them that it was not their fault, as victims usually blame themselves.

She says these young men are victims of deep trauma as the things they were subjected to have not only scared them physically but emotionally too.

According to Dr Omar, the impact of the incident could result in major behavioural changes, like post traumatic disorder (PTSD), destructive behavioral patterns as well as the use of alcohol and drugs, which could be detrimental to them and those or others if help wasn’t sought.

 

The clinical psychologist says the cruel and brutal actions of the bounces exhibit typical behaviour of psychopaths.

 

 

Security regulator, PSIRA, says it’s probing whether the implicated bodyguards were registered.

Psira’s director, Manabela Chauke, says the brutality and assault that the men meted out to the young people who were accused of phone theft was a direct violation of the Private Security Industry Regulation Act.

The authorities have also urged the man, known as Pablo, who has been releasing the videos and threatening to release more, to come forward with information that could assist the police to bring those involved in the matter to book.

ZANZOU Please protect Pablo.

He must release all those videos including the ones where people have been killed. Please arrest the monster of Zanzou.@CityTshwane @nasiphim @RamaboduObakeng pic.twitter.com/svsYfyYeWM

— 🍉 Jenna_🇿🇦 🇵🇸 🇷🇺 (@Jenna_original2) February 17, 2025