Bitou deputy mayor under fire

Update

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The alleged firing of a handgun at her son’s cultural ceremony into manhood by Bitou deputy mayor Nokuzola Kolwapi has drawn sharp condemnation and calls for political accountability.

In a video that circulated widely on social media, Kolwapi is seen allegedly firing a handgun at 10 Sajini Street in Kwanokuthula around 10 AM on Sunday, December 21, during her son Tsepiso’s Mgidi cultural ceremony marking his transition into manhood.

The ratepayers have requested provincial intervention due to the severity of the allegations and the high-ranking position of the official involved, expressing their “deep concern and condemnation.”

“The Province must confirm what monitoring, intervention, or inquiry steps are being considered to safeguard lawful governance in Bitou,” said Blignaut.

Bitou mayor Jessica Kamkam, who attended the ceremony but was not present at the time of the alleged incident in Kwanokuthula as she only arrived at 15h00, said she did not support the alleged actions by her deputy.

Investigating
“I do not support the discharge of a firearm in public under any circumstances. The use of weapons in public spaces is governed by law and must be complied with by all,” said Kamkam. The use of weapons in public spaces is governed by law and must be complied with,” she said.

Southern Cape SAPS media spokesperson Warrant Officer Christopher Spies confirmed Kwanokuthula detectives were investigating a case of pointing of a firearm following an alleged incident in Kwanokuthula on Sunday, 21 December, at about 10:30.

He said, “According to reports available,” Kwanokuthula police members visited a premises after a video of the incident was circulated on social media.

"Investigation into this incident is at an early stage, and no arrests have been made yet.

"SAPS is not in a position to divulge particulars of individuals involved at this stage,” said W/O Spies.

Act decisively
Blignaut said in his statement that the Democratic Alliance, as the leading party in the governing coalition (along with Kolwapi’s Ikhwezi Political Movement and the Active United Front), “cannot distance itself from this matter. Voters are entitled to know,” said Ratepayers chairperson Tony Blignaut.

Blignaut said immediate action is required from Bitou municipality: “The municipal council and speaker have a duty to act decisively.”

This includes:

Immediate consideration of precautionary measures pending the outcome of investigations;
Full transparency regarding any councillor code of conduct processes;
Clear communication to the public on steps being taken to protect institutional integrity.

Blignaut said, “Silence or inaction will be interpreted as tacit approval.” He said if the facts reported are confirmed, “this conduct is unlawful, reckless, and wholly incompatible with the responsibilities of public office.

“The alleged actions place lives at risk, undermine public trust, and bring the municipality, council leadership, and coalition partners into serious disrepute.”

Disrepute
“If the facts reported are confirmed, this conduct is unlawful, reckless, and wholly incompatible with the responsibilities of public office. The alleged actions place lives at risk, undermine public trust, and bring the municipality, council leadership, and coalition partners into serious disrepute,” said Blignaut.

In South Africa, discharging a firearm in a public area is a criminal offense under the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000. Penalties vary based on the intent and consequences of the act but can include significant prison time, heavy fines, and the loss of the right to own firearms.

Blignaut said at a time when communities across Bitou are grappling with service delivery failures, including the self-created water crisis, safety concerns, and declining confidence in local governance, such behavior, particularly by senior political office-bearers, is unacceptable.

He said the ratepayers’ views are clear:

The rule of law must apply equally to all:
No elected official is above the law. The South African Police Service must be allowed to conduct a full, independent investigation without interference, favor, or delay.
Any attempt to minimize or politicize this matter would be intolerable.

Bitou Municipality responds
A statement by Bitou municipality said it acknowledged "numerous videos" circulating publicly that depict Kolwapi celebrating the homecoming of her son from the initiation school in a ceremony known as "umgidi."

"The umgidi celebration is a private event organized by the family of the returning initiate. and whoever attends it does so in their private capacity," said Bitou communications manager Andile Namntu.

These videos have drawn a lot of interest and comments from the public in relation to her discharging what seems like a firearm in public.

“We are aware and do acknowledge that the South African Police Service is currently investigating this matter following a criminal case opened by a member of the public.

“It is also important to clarify the fact that Councillor Kolwapi is the representative of the Ikhwezi Political Movement (IPM) on the Bitou Council and not the African National Congress, as per various comments made on public platforms.

“The Municipality reaffirms its commitment to upholding accountability, transparency, and adherence to the rule of law and will cooperate fully with the relevant authorities as the process unfolds,” said Namntu.

Toy gun—deputy mayor responds
Kolwapi said in a statement, signed in her capacity as president of the IPM, the firearm shown in her hand in a video and photographs was a “toy gun,” or replica.

"There was no firearm present,” she said. The video was taken during her son’s ulwaluko—a sacred Xhosa initiation ceremony that marks the transition into manhood. "It is unfortunate that this moment has been used to score political points by the ANC and bogus so-called local community leaders.

"The fact that this act was performed by a woman has unsettled some, and that reaction itself deserves reflection. For generations, power, ritual authority, and public symbolism have been narrowly defined along patriarchal lines.

A woman occupying this space—confidently, visibly, and unapologetically—challenges the assumption that leadership, protection, and cultural authority belong to men alone. It is an assertion that women are not guests in culture or politics—we are custodians and architects of both," said Kolwapi.

"This moment cannot be separated from the political and social reality of South Africa today. We are a nation grieving; women are being killed in their homes. This was a symbol of taking back our culture, taking back our identity, and taking back our power.

She said there was no contradiction between celebrating culture and condemning violence. "The incident was not a threat—it was a declaration.

A declaration that our sons must be raised to honor life, not dominate it. A declaration that power, when held by women, can be transformative.

"I remain committed, as a leader and as a mother, to building a South Africa where our traditions evolve without losing their soul, where women’s authority is not questioned but respected, and where no women has to march, protest, or mourn simply to be safe."

Non-aligned Civic Movement responds

The ANC in the Western Cape in a Facebook post has called for the arrest and removal of Bitou municipality deputy mayor Nokuzola Kolwapi after a video allegedly showed her firing a gun in public.
In a statement by the Kwanokuthula=based Non-aligned Civic Movement it “unequivocally and strongly” condemned the alleged actions by Kolwapi.

“If confirmed, this conduct is not only-unlawful but deeply distasteful and profoundly irresponsible. It stands in direct opposition to the collective efforts of communities, civil society, and responsible leaders to reduce crime. gun violence, and violence in general harms that continue to devastate our society and are too often unfairly and lazily associated with Black communities.

Acts such as these reinforce damaging stereotypes, undermine decades of struggle for dignity, and erode the moral authority of leaders who should be actively dismantling, not perpetuating, such narratives,” said the statement.

“Equally troubling is the way this alleged conduct undermines the very essence of the Mgidi celebration. Such ceremonies are rooted in peace, harmony, joy, and collective pride. They mark achievement, transition, and hope. Introducing a firearm into this sacred and celebratory space is an insult to the tradition itself. It misrepresents cultural ceremonies of this nature and does lasting harm by portraying them as disorderly or violent, when in truth they are meant to embody unity, restraint, and communal upliftment,” said the NACM.

It said the NACM welcomes the criminal charges laid against Kolwapi, including those initiated by NACM co-founder Welcome Tshala.

This action affirms the principle that no individual-regardless of political office or status-is above the law. Accountability is not optional; it is foundational to democratic leadership.

Tony Blignaut,Plettenberg Ratepayers' chairman. Photo:Supplied