One of the owners and directors at Club ZanZou has publicly apologised to victims of the abuse which involved sexual assault captured on a viral video.
Neo Moela, briefed the media through prominent lawyer Zola Majavu in Johannesburg and while not admitting to any wrongdoing, tendered an apology to those who were violated.
“He openly recognises that subject to verification of what had happened in his absence there can never be a justification of those despicable acts and for that, he apologises to those whose human rights have been trampled upon, unreservedly to the extent that these atrocities were perpetuated at an establishment of which he is a director, he wanted to put that up front,” said Majavu.
Majavu said Moela has been helpful to the police in their investigation into the incident (s).
“He did not run away, he’s not running away, he’s seated to my left. the police can confirm independently his cooperation. I can also confirm that now that I am on board we will facilitate whatever support and cooperation that the police needed. A few days ago they requested further information, again before my involvement, and that information was made available,” said Majavu emphasising what he claims to be Moela’s willingness to take accountability.
Majavu was adamant that Moela had no knowledge of the incident even indirectly distancing him from a press statement issued by ZanZou attributed to “management” which acknowledged the incident and claimed the responsible personnel had been dismissed.
“He had no knowledge of it. we understand what the law says on both criminal liability as well as civil liability of directors so we are not here as a PR exercise and I know I am not a spin doctor. my role is to make sure that in his urge to speak his truth to power he does not compromise himself legally because he wanted to speak I am told last week and I suggested perhaps he should hold off until we had a consultation which we did yesterday and that is why we are coming out to say what we are saying. So some people may think its a mob up exercise everybody is entitled to their views,” said Majavu justifying why Moela could not speak on his own or why himself as a lawyer was meandering through the questions.
Six victims have since opened criminal cases and a 41 year old Congolese national (presumed to be a security guard at the club) arrested and appeared in court on Monday where he indicated an intention to apply for bail.
Police are yet to confirm reports that some of the owners of the club who are believed to be foreign nationals have since skipped the country.