PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A community leader who laid charges against Bitou Deputy Mayor Nokuzola Kolwapi over the alleged discharge of a firearm in Kwanokuthula on Sunday, 21 December, said he acted out of concern for the safety of children who were present at the time.
Welcome Tshala, of the Non-Aligned Civic Movement (NACM), said a concerned resident had sent him video clips of the incident, asking whether what was shown was legal, as the resident’s young daughter was allegedly standing in front of the weapon when it was discharged.
Tshala said he decided to open a criminal case against Kolwapi because, in his view, her actions were “criminal”.
Speaking to the Knysna Plett Herald, Tshala said his experience in the military and as an instructor for firefighters led him to believe that the weapon shown in the video footage was a semi-automatic firearm.
He said cartridge casings appeared to be ejected, which, he argued, made it highly unlikely that the weapon was a toy gun, as claimed by Kolwapi.
Tshala laid charges of discharging a firearm in a public place and pointing a firearm. He said that after submitting a supplementary statement to detectives, additional charges could follow.
“As residents, we expect her to conduct herself in a much better manner. She is Bitou’s second citizen by virtue of the office she occupies,” Tshala said.
Bodyguard
Tshala further alleged that Kolwapi may have violated provisions of the Firearms Control Act, as well as municipal by-laws regulating the handling of weapons in public spaces.
“In another video, we see that after the deputy mayor allegedly fired the weapon, she hands it to her bodyguard, who is an employee of Bitou law enforcement,” he said.
Tshala said the individual should also be held accountable, as he had taken an oath of office as a law enforcement official to uphold and enforce municipal by-laws.
Tshala and fellow community leader Vuyukazi Kitsi appeared on SABC television news yesterday, Thursday 25 December.
Kitsi told the Knysna Plett Herald that the community was shocked by the incident.
“We have never experienced such things before while celebrating the coming home of our boys,” she said.
Vuyukazi Kitsi. Photo: Chris van Gass
She explained that the celebration followed ulwaluko, a Xhosa initiation ceremony marking the transition into manhood.
“It is a very painful process, and as a mother you become anxious because you don’t see your boy for the entire duration. Whether the boy returns home safely depends on the men in the bush,” Kitsi said.
Vulnerable
“But even so, I have never experienced something like this. I am shocked,” she added.
Kitsi said that had an ordinary resident been involved, the incident might not have drawn as much attention.
She said Kolwapi’s position as deputy mayor, as well as her role in founding the Ikhwezi Political Movement (IPM), a coalition partner of the Democratic Alliance in the Bitou council, made the matter more serious; particularly as the party’s political platform focused on women and children.
“You would expect her to safeguard vulnerable people, the very people who defined her political stance. On that day, she compromised herself.” said Kitsi.
Read previous articles:
- Ratepayers reject deputy mayor’s statement
- Bitou deputy mayor under fire
- Charges laid over discharge of firearm in Kwanokuthula
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