Clash over mention of gun incident

Update

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A clash between a ward councillor and Bitou's top council representatives over mentioning the gun incident involving the deputy mayor, has been elevated to Provincial MEC Anton Bredell.

The clash took place on Friday 30 January during the unveiling of a high-mast light in Ward 5, when remarks by Ward 5 ANC Councillor Samkele Mangxaba raised the ire of Bitou Speaker Mavis Busakwe and Deputy Mayor Nokuzola Kolwapi.

The moment was captured on video and has gone viral on social media, eliciting much public response.

In the video, Busakwe and Kolwapi can be seen walking directly toward Mangxaba and expressing their displeasure.

Bitou Acting Municipal Manager Chris Mapeyi has since issued a statement urging the public "to be patient and await the outcomes of all investigations" and "maintain a positive digital footprint on all municipal social media platforms" by "engaging in a respectful manner that does not include bullying or defamatory language" .

A decision on whether to take action against Kolwapi for the incident on 21 December last year is still with the prosecuting authority. Eric Ntabazalila, NPA spokesperson, said on Monday that no decision has yet been taken.

'Almost assaulted'

In a letter to MEC Anton Bredell, Mangxaba said: "I was almost assaulted by the speaker of council and the deputy mayor simply for urging that service-delivery updates should not be derailed by one unresolved issue, the public discharge of a firearm incident involving the deputy mayor. There was nothing negative about my statement. I called for order, focus, and respect for the institution."

He said that, while the shooting incident is already before the law and council processes, it is "deeply troubling" that there has been no public acknowledgment of wrongdoing or remorse, and that the deputy mayor "continues to be paraded at municipal programmes as if nothing happened".

Bitopu Deputy Mayor Nokuzola Kolwapi, Mayor Jessica Kamkam and Speaker Mavis Busakwe at the high-mast light unveiling.

This, he said, erodes public trust and drags the institution into disrepute, and it should concern every resident who believes in accountability and democratic conduct. "This is not leadership. This is entitlement and abuse of power."

Update

Mangxaba told Bredell: "I raised my concerns through the correct channels and acted in good faith. I will not be silenced for standing up for accountability, safety, and respect for our communities".

Mapeyi said the statement issued on Sunday 1 February was to "update" the public on the "incident relating to Deputy Mayor Cllr Nokuzola Kolwapi and discharging of an alleged firearm on 21 December 2025".

He said the municipality confirmed that an ordinary council meeting was held on 23 January, and that Kolwapi's matter was on the agenda for an in-committee discussion.

"As per regulations, it is the responsibility of the speaker of the council to deal with matters using the Council Code of Conduct in line with Schedule 7 of the Municipal Structures Act of 1998."

Bitou Speaker Mavis Busakwe moves toward Councillor Samkele Mangxaba. Photo: Video screenshot

During the meeting, Busakwe gave Kolwapi a letter informing her of the allegations related to the incident, which included evidence shown through social media.

Mapeyi said Kolwapi was given seven days to respond to the letter, as mandated by the regulatory framework governing municipalities, and the speaker is now awaiting her response, "which will be furnished by her legal representatives".

Investigate

Mapeyi said a committee will be esta-blished at the next council meeting to investigate the matter further and table a report before council with its recommendations. The speaker will then submit the report and its recommendations to the MEC of Local Government, Anton Bredell.

"The municipality is dealing with the matter within its ambit and cannot overstep the work of the other authorities, which include the South African Police Service and National Prosecuting Authority, who are also charged with dealing with the matter." Mapeyi said.

He urged the public to allow the municipality time to deal with the matter within the regulatory framework that guides municipalities in dealing with matters relating to the incident.

"While the public might expect the matter to be expedited, legal matters require being procedurally correct and being dealt with using the correct processes. If matters are not procedurally dealt with, this may compromise the entire value chain of the legal prescripts."

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