The African National Congress (ANC) in the Victor Molosi Region has initiated decisive disciplinary and criminal action against Bitou Municipality Deputy Mayor, Councillor Nokuzola “Noksi” Kolwapi, following the circulation of a video that allegedly shows her discharging a firearm at a private celebration.
The footage, which spread rapidly across social media platforms, purportedly depicts the Deputy Mayor firing a gun during a mgidi—a traditional ceremony held to welcome her sons home after completing a rite of passage into manhood. In a strongly worded initial statement, the ANC said it viewed any alleged conduct involving the discharge of a firearm “with the utmost seriousness,” especially by public representatives sworn to uphold the law.
Councillor Kolwapi issued a statement in her defence, claiming the item shown in the video was a replica, not a real firearm.
However, the ANC Western Cape has rejected this explanation outright. Provincial spokesperson Sifiso Mtsweni, in a telephonic interview, dismissed the Deputy Mayor’s claim as “a laughable statement” and “a statement that was written in desperation.”
“Everybody can see that here’s an irresponsible public representative behaving like a hooligan in public,” Mtsweni stated. “What type of a celebration does one have when one carries a gun, whether a replica or not, and shoot[s] the gun in front of people where there’s children, there’s women… endangering their lives?”
Mtsweni confirmed the party has taken two concrete steps: filing a criminal case with the police and preparing a political motion to remove Kolwapi from office. “We’ve taken a decision to open a case and ensure that we push for the removal of that… deputy mayor,” he said.
The spokesperson revealed that the ANC caucus in Bitou will table a motion of no confidence against Kolwapi as the “first order of business” in the new year. He expressed hope that the Democratic Alliance, which leads the coalition in the municipality, would support the motion.
When challenged on whether the ANC was exploiting the incident for “political point scoring,” as implied by Kolwapi in her statement, Mtsweni shifted responsibility back to the Deputy Mayor. “We are not the ones who shot a gun in public… She decided that the best way to welcome a son back home is to take a firearm and discharge it publicly,” he argued.
Mtsweni also contested the suggestion that such displays might be a common part of local celebration culture. “This video would not have gotten the prominence that it did if this was an ordinary thing,” he said, adding that celebrating with gunfire is the act of “criminals.” He drew a direct parallel to the recent case of ANC Member of Parliament Mervyn Dirks, who was convicted for firing a gun in public after also initially claiming it was a toy.
“That was not a toy gun. That was a real gun,” Mtsweni asserted, implying a firm belief that the firearm in the viral video was genuine. “This was just pure [irresponsibility]… A person that belongs in jail. A person that must be arrested for endangering the life of the people.”
The party plans to closely monitor the police investigation to ensure charges are pursued. Mtsweni also vowed that the ANC would work to ensure Kolwapi “does not see public office” in the 2026 local government elections.
The Deputy Mayor has not yet issued any further public comment following the ANC’s detailed rebuttal and announcement of planned actions.