Bitou Deputy Mayor Nokuzola Kolwapi has been summoned to appear in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court on June 23, reports Knysna-Plett Herald.

Kolwapi is expected to face charges for firing a gun in public on December 21 during her son’s homecoming umgidi cultural celebration.

Although not named, the Southern Cape Police’s spokesperson, Warrant Officer Chris Spies, confirmed that a 55-year-old suspect ‘was summoned in relation to the referenced case number’ to appear for contraventions of the Environment Conservation Act (Act 73 of 1989).

Kolwapi was featured in a video that had gone viral on social media, showing her brandishing what appeared to be a 9mm handgun.

Spies said the suspect has yet to appear in court, and the police are not at liberty to divulge particulars of individuals involved at this stage.

Kolwapi previously claimed the weapon depicted in the video was a toy gun or replica.

A request for comment has been sent to Kolwapi and will be added once received.

The instruction to charge Kolwapi was made by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions on March 5, in terms of the Environmental Act (Act 73 of 1989).

A media query about why the charges were not brought in terms of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 were sent in, and have yet to be addressed.

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