Deputy mayor of popular South African tourist town in hot water for firing gun in the air

The Deputy Mayor of the Bitou Local Municipality in the Western Cape, Nokuzola Kolwapi, is in hot water after a video of her discharging a firearm in public went viral.

In a video that went viral over the weekend, Kolwapi is seen allegedly discharging a handgun in Kwanokuthula just outside of Plettenberg Bay.

According to reports, the incident allegedly occurred during celebrations of her son Tsepiso Martin (18), who matriculated this year.

Local publication, the Knysna Plett Herald, reported that community members said that Bitou’s mayor, Jessica Kamkam, as well as speaker Mavis Busakwe, attended the celebrations.

Kolwapi is the leader of the Ikhwezi People’s Movement (IPM).

Southern Cape SAPS media spokesperson, Warrant Officer Christopher Spies confirmed that Kwanokuthula detectives are investigating a case of pointing of a firearm.

Spies told Newsday that Kwanokuthula police members visited the 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 Spies.

In a statement on 22 December, Kolwapi claimed that the video had been misrepresented, claiming that the object seen in her hand was a replica toy gun and not a firearm. However, the video shows bullet casings falling.

She said the footage was taken during her son’s ulwaluko, a sacred Xhosa initiation ceremony, and criticised what she described as attempts by the ANC and self-styled community leaders to politicise the moment.

Kolwapi said the backlash was partly driven by discomfort with a woman occupying a space traditionally associated with male authority.

According to South Africa’s Firearms Control Act (FCA), it is a serious offense to discharge a firearm without “good reason,” especially in public or built-up areas.

This could lead to severe penalties like fines, imprisonment, and loss of firearm license, unless done in strict self-defense against an imminent threat of serious harm. 

Such was the case for Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) president Julius Malema, who earlier this year was convicted of five offences, including discharging a firearm in a public space and reckless endangerment.

These offences fall under the FCA and could carry a sentence of 15 years in prison. He will be sentenced in January 2026.

This article has been updated with comment from Kolwapi.