Man arrested over threats against Premier Alan Winde

Western Cape police have arrested a 46-year-old man for allegedly threatening Western Cape Premier Alan Winde.

Police arrested the suspect at a property in Kensington, Cape Town, at around 03:30 on Friday, 13 November.

THREATS AGAINST ALAN WINDE

Pronvincial police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said the investigation followed a series of intimidating text messages that a complainant received on 17 October.

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

Detectives from the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit, working alongside Crime Intelligence, followed several leads before securing a warrant for the suspect’s arrest.

Police also seized a cellphone they believe the suspect used to send the messages.

“Western Cape police take threats and intimidation seriously, particularly where they are intended to undermine the safety of individuals or public representatives. Such conduct will be investigated and dealt with through the appropriate legal processes,” Traut said.

SUSPECT TO APPEAR IN COURT

The man faces charges of intimidation and contravening the Cybercrimes Act.

He is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Police have not disclosed the motive behind the alleged threats or the identity of the complainant.