US EditionGun Groups Slam Bitou Deputy Mayor over ‘Reckless’ Shooting at Cultural Celebration
The African National Congress demands arrest of Bitou Deputy Mayor after video shows her firing shots at a cultural ceremony; police investigation is ongoing with no arrests yet.
- Bitou Local Municipality deputy mayor Nokuzola Kolwapi was filmed discharging what appears to be a firearm at her son's Umgidi ceremony in KwaNokuthula, Plettenberg Bay, Bitou Municipality said on 22 December 2025.
- Footage showed her firing several shots amid ululating and cheering during the Umgidi/Ulwaluko ceremony, with community members including children nearby, prompting public backlash after video footage circulated online.
- The African National Congress formally called for Kolwapi's arrest and urged investigation, while Kolwapi said the object was a replica toy and accused critics of politicising the incident; Gun Free South Africa, Action Society and NARFO condemned the act as reckless.
- Police have opened a case of pointing a firearm and detectives are investigating at KwaNokuthula police station; no arrests were made, and under the Firearms Control Act, section 103, conviction can bring up to five years’ imprisonment.
- Civil groups warned the episode undermines public confidence in regulation and governance, urging suspension; Dr Stanley Maphosa cited 33 daily shooting deaths and said no one should be above the law.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Gun groups slam Bitou deputy mayor over ‘reckless’ shooting at cultural celebration
Gun control and firearm owner organisations have condemned the actions of Bitou Municipality Deputy Mayor Nokuzola Kolwapi after videos surfaced showing her firing what appears to be a firearm during a cultural celebration in Plettenberg Bay.
Times of Malta
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Bitou deputy mayor Nokuzola Kolwapi denies firing gun during son’s umgidi, says object was a toy
Bitou deputy mayor, Nokuzola Kolwapi has denied discharging a firearm during her son’s umgidi celebrations in Kwanokuthula, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape saying the object seen in a viral video was a replica toy gun and not a real firearm.
ANC calls for investigation into alleged firearm discharge by Bitou deputy mayor
ANC calls for investigation into alleged firearm discharge by Bitou deputy mayor The African National Congress (ANC) in the Victor Molosi Region has expressed serious concern over a video circulating on social media allegedly showing Bitou Municipality Deputy Mayor Nokuzola “Noksi” Kolwapi discharging a firearm during a Mgidi held for her sons In a statement, […] The post ANC calls for investigation into alleged firearm discharge by Bitou deputy…
Bitou Deputy Mayor Denies Firing Real Gun at Son’s Ceremony, Calls it a Toy
Bitou Deputy Mayor Nokuzola Kolwapi has denied firing a real firearm during her son’s traditional homecoming ceremony, stating the object in a viral video was a toy. The video, circulating on social media, appeared to show Kolwapi discharging a gun in the air during her son’s *umgidi*—a Xhosa initiation ceremony—on Sunday. In a statement, she insisted it was a replica and accused political opponents, specifically the ANC, of exploiting the momen…
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