A seemingly normal day at the Virgin Active gym in Constantia, Cape Town, turned intriguing when a personal trainer was discovered to be a man wanted internationally by Interpol.
Stan Stamenov, a Bulgarian national, is currently sought by Romanian authorities on serious drug trafficking charges.
First reported by Daily Maverick, Stamenov’s recent tenure at one of South Africa’s top gym brands not only raises questions about background checks but also hints at a deeper narrative entwined with crime and personal transformation.
Reports have emerged stating that Stamenov had been working as a ‘senior personal trainer’ at the Virgin Active in Constantia.
Adding to the grim storyline is Stamenov’s association with Krasimir Kamenov, another Bulgarian implicated in drug-related activities, who was gunned down in the same area in May 2023.
Observers note that Stamenov reportedly served as Kamenov’s bodyguard.
The emerging scandal ignited when the online platform used by Virgin Active to promote their trainers showcased Stamenov’s details, including a photograph that adorned the wall of the gym next to those of his fellow trainers.
Following an inquiry by the Daily Maverick, Virgin Active promptly suspended Stamenov as part of their standard procedures and initiated an internal review to investigate the claims surrounding his status.
Jacqui Walter, Virgin Active’s head of customer service, assured that the gym had stringent measures in place regarding the scrutiny of its personal trainers. ‘We apply due diligence processes to all personal trainers at our clubs, including contractual compliance and supporting documentation,’ she stated as quoted on Daily Maverick.
The company is currently collaborating with relevant authorities to authenticate the claims and ascertain whether Stamenov is indeed the individual named in the Interpol red notice issued for drug trafficking in Romania.
Although inquiries have been made to Virgin Active and the South African Police Services (SAPS) for further comments, responses have yet to be received.
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Picture: Unsplash (Image used for generic purposes)
