The complainant in the case against the Bitou Municipality Deputy Mayor Nokuzola Kolwapi says he will approach the National Director of Public Prosecutions to challenge the current charge sheet and push for the charges to be upgraded.
Kolwapi briefly appeared in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court in the Western Cape Tuesday morning.
She faces charges relating to the contravention of the Environmental Conservation Act, specifically the Western Cape Noise Control Regulations.
The matter has been postponed until the 6th of August.
KwaNokuthula community leader, Welcome Tshala, laid charges against Kolwapi in December last year.
She was captured in a video that later went viral on social media, where she is seen firing a gun in public.
Kolwapi has maintained that the object seen in the footage was a toy gun.
Tsala says they will push for higher charges.
“At last, I’m happy the deputy mayor has appeared on her first appearance, although it’s on a much lesser charge, which is violation of the Conservation Act. Our expectation is she be charged under the Firearms Control Act. However, we’re not going to be deterred by that. Immediately we’ll be making representations to the NDPP challenging their decision so that justice is actually done,” says Tshala.
Scenes outside Plettenberg Bay Magistrates Court where Bitou Municipality Deputy Mayor, Nokuzola Kolwapi is making her first appearance for allegedly discharging a firearm in public. Members of Ikhwezi Political Movement have come out in numbers to support her. Credits: Siphiwe… pic.twitter.com/hLVtOSmUrH
— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 23, 2026
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