No arrests yet as police are still investigating firearm case of Bitou deputy mayor

Police said that they are still investigating the case of the Bitou Deputy Executive Mayor, Nokuzola Kolwapi, who found herself in trouble after a video emerged appearing to show her discharging a firearm just before Christmas.

Kolwapi, who is also the Ikhwezi Political Movement (IPM) President, had defended her actions, stating that the video was taken during the celebration marking the return of her son from ulwaluko - a sacred Xhosa initiation ceremony that marks the transition into manhood.

In her statement, she specifically mentions the firearm being a “replica (toy-gun)”.

On Monday, Police spokesman Warrant Officer Chris Spies said that Kwanokuthula detectives are investigating a case of the pointing of a firearm after the incident on Sunday, 22 December 2025.

“According to reports available, 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.

“The police are not in a position to divulge particulars of individuals involved at this stage.”

When asked if the deputy mayor has been suspended or placed on leave, Bitou Municipality spokesperson Andile Namntu said that there is no new update from the municipality's previous statement.

Namntu said that the council is still in recess and will only be back on the 13th of January.

The municipality previously reaffirmed their commitment to upholding accountability, stating that it would fully cooperate with the relevant authorities as the process unfolds.

Previously, firearm experts have come out and said that even if it were a toy, she still broke the law.

Martin Hood, a dedicated attorney at MJ Hood & Associates who specialises in matters of firearm law and is also a firearm instructor, explained that her cultural argument holds no merit as “there is no culture that recognises waving a firearm around in public”.

“The Firearms Control Act classifies a replica of a firearm. In other words, in this instance, a toy gun (is perceived) as the same as a firearm depending on how it is used. For example, if you point a toy gun at somebody and they believe that it is in fact a real firearm, that's a criminal offence,” Hood said.

“There are possible criminal offences that could stem from an adult, and I want to stress an adult, because obviously a child with a toy gun is potentially quite different, but an adult waving around an object that looks like a firearm is completely unacceptable, and in public, even less acceptable.

“It was reckless, and it potentially constituted one or more possible criminal offences.”

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za