Bitou Speaker brandishing what looks like a gun at a mgidi celebration that has sparked another wave of outrage
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The Bitou Municipality will investigate whether Speaker Mavis Busakwe contravened the Municipal Systems Act, following public outrage over a recently surfaced video showing her brandishing a firearm in public.
The ANC in the region has also called on police to criminally investigate the act which could be in contravention of the Firearms Control Act.
The incident allegedly occurred at the same 2025 umgidi ceremony where fellow troika member and Deputy Mayor Nokuzola Kolwapi is accused of discharging a gun, an episode that has already sparked criminal charges and intensified scrutiny of the municipality’s leadership.
Municipal manager, Christopher Mapeyi on Wednesday said it was the first time the municipality had been furnished with the video following a media inquiry.
“The umgidi celebrations are private events organised by the family of the returning initiate, and whoever attends it does so in their private capacity,” he said.
“However, we are aware and do acknowledge the circulating video, the matter will be dealt with in line with council relevant processes as outlined in line with the Municipal Systems Act.”
In the video circulating on social media, Busakwe is seen singing and dancing with the alleged weapon in hand before pointing it into the sky but does not discharge it.
Police spokesperson Christopher Spies said no criminal complaint has been lodged against Busakwe.
Busakwe did not reply to questions Wednesday.
The video was taken at the homecoming celebrations for Kolwapi’s son in December.
Kolwapi, who allegedly discharged a firearm during the festivities, has come under intense public scrutiny, with a criminal investigation now underway.
The discharge and brandishing of firearms in public places are offences under the Firearms Control Act.
Mapeyi said a report was being finalised which will make findings and recommendations about Kolwapi to council.
“The Municipality reaffirms its commitment to upholding accountability, transparency, and adherence to the rule of law and will cooperate fully with the relevant authorities as the process unfolds.
“The municipality would like to urge the public to be patient and await the outcomes of all investigations,” he said.
ANC regional secretary Moyisi Magalela called on the police to also investigate Busakwe.
“It's an incident at the same place. So they must also investigate her as part of the same case,” he said.
Busakwe and Kolwapi are part of a DA-led coalition at the municipality. Kolwapi is a member of the Ikwezi Political Movement and Busakwe is from the Active United Front.
DA Bitou mayor Jessica Kamkam said political office holders must be more conscious about how they carry themselves.
“It is difficult to police people's behaviour, but I would say it just makes me more conscious as to what we portray in public; we just need to be more conscious about what we portray in the public space. It's just more about the example we are setting,” she said.
ANC Councillor Samkele Mangxaba also called on local government MEC Anton Bredell to initiate an investigation.
“The credibility of council oversight depends on fairness and independence,” he said.
“At a time when the municipality is already under scrutiny following the Deputy Mayor’s widely reported firearm incident, this development further erodes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of council processes.”
Bredell’s spokesperson Wouter Kriel said the department will not comment at this stage.
This comes as EFF leader Julius Malema was found guilty in October last year of unlawfully discharging a firearm at the party’s birthday rally in Mdantsane in 2018.
He was granted leave to appeal a five-year direct imprisonment sentence handed down by Magistrate Twanet Olivier in the KuGompo last week.
Cape Times