Neo Moela, director of Zanzou nightclub, breaks his silence on torture allegations, insisting he had no prior knowledge of the events.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers.
Weeks after horrific videos surfaced showing men being tortured at Pretoria club Zanzou, a person connected to the establishment has finally come out into the open.
Entrepreneur Neo Moela who is the director of Zanzou appeared alongside renowned attorney Zola Majavu on Tuesday morning in a media briefing to shed light on his involvement or lack thereof in the torture and operations of the club.
Majavu said that Moela wished to express that there is no justification for the 'despicable acts' which took place at the nightclub. He reiterated that his client had no knowledge of the torture until it was brought to light.
"He apologises to those whose human rights were trampled on," Majavu said.
The whistleblower of the torture, Pablo implicated Moela in the torture in videos he posted about the club.
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The legal expert went on to say that his client did not run away and wished to support the police investigation and cooperate fully.
"You are not dealing with someone who is not willing to take accountability. If he becomes a person of interest, he will cooperate. He is not above the law."
However, Majavu went on to say that when it comes to criminal and civil liability of directors, he understands how the case appears.
He dismissed claims that the briefing was a mop-up exercise. He called on the media and public to respect the victims who were subjected to the severe human rights violations.
"But, if Moela was to become a suspect, I undertake to take him by the scruff of his neck and take him to the police ... Someone was already arrested, that has nothing to do with him."
The name of the 41-year-old accused man is withheld and is facing eight counts of compelled sexual assault and six counts of assault with grievous bodily harm.
Majavu continued: "My client felt that it was important as a South African to come out. He is not about to leave the country. He is a young entrepreneur with a bright future."
IOL