CAPE TOWN – A 46-year-old man has been arrested in Kensington, Cape Town in connection with threatening messages allegedly directed at Western Cape Premier Alan Winde.

The man was arrested at approximately 03:30 this morning (Friday 13 November) following an investigation into intimidating text messages received by the complainant on 17 October.

The messages allegedly included threats against Winde, as well as a direct threat to shoot the complainant.

Western Cape police spokesperson Col Andrè Traut said detectives from the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit, working alongside Crime Intelligence, followed several leads to identify and trace the suspect.

“Following the gathering and analysis of relevant information, an arrest warrant was obtained,” said Traut.

The suspect was arrested at a premises in Kensington, Cape Town, where police also seized a cellular telephone believed to have been used in the commission of the offence.

Facing cybercrime and intimidation charges

The 46-year-old is facing charges relating to intimidation and contraventions of the Cybercrimes Act, 19 of 2020.

He is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court today (Friday 13 November).

Traut said Western Cape police take threats and intimidation seriously, particularly when such conduct is intended to undermine the safety of individuals or public representatives.

He added that such incidents would be investigated and dealt with through the appropriate legal processes.

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