Masemola confirms case opened against Bitou deputy mayor over gun video

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has confirmed that the Bitou Local Municipality Deputy Mayor Nokuzola Kolwapi, who was filmed firing shots into the air in a viral video, will face consequences for her actions.

Masemola made the remarks  during a festive season operations oversight visit in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday, alongside Acting Minister of Police Prof Firoz Cachalia. 

The visit aimed to assess police readiness and crime prevention during the peak holiday period, with thousands of officers deployed across the province to maintain law and order.

Addressing officers in Durban, Masemola confirmed that Kolwapi’s actions would not go unpunished.

“And of course the public also, let's look after ourselves. As I said, let's not be too excited and end up like, "I think we saw a video that was viral of a certain lady that was shooting a gun in the air,” he said.

Masemola pointed to Section 120 of the Firearms Control Act, Act 60 of 2000, which makes it an offence to discharge a firearm in public in a way that endangers others’ lives. 

He added that a case had been opened against Kolwapi. 

“In the very same case, we have opened a case against that person, and after investigation the case will be taken to the prosecutor to decide whether to charge or not to charge.”

“It doesn't matter even if what you use is a blank gun or a toy gun. If you use it in such a way that you endanger other people's lives, be it a toy gun or a blank gun, you will be charged,” the top cop said.

On Monday, Kolwapi defended herself, saying the item in the video was a toy gun and that the footage was taken during celebrations marking her son’s return from ulwaluko, a sacred Xhosa initiation ceremony into manhood.

In a statement issued by her party, the Ikhwezi Political Movement (IPM), Kolwapi said, “It is unfortunate that this moment has been used to score political points by the ANC and bogus so-called local community leaders.”

ANC spokesperson Moyisi Magalela said the party regarded the incident seriously. 

“The ANC views any alleged conduct involving the discharge of a firearm in a public or private setting with the utmost seriousness, particularly when it involves public representatives. Relevant law enforcement agencies must urgently conduct a thorough and independent investigation. The law must take its course without fear or favour.”

Sifiso Mtsweni, ANC Western Cape provincial spokesperson, added, “Those are criminal acts. She behaves like a hooligan in public. Discharging a firearm in public is a criminal offence.”

Kolwapi said the public reaction was partly due to her being a woman in a position of authority. 

“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.”

“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. There is no contradiction between celebrating culture and condemning violence.”

According to her incident was not a threat, but a declaration.

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

Kolwapi added, “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 woman has to march, protest, or mourn simply to be safe.”

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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