Alan Winde at Centre of Arrest After Threatening Messages, Police Say

A 46-year-old man has been arrested in Cape Town in connection with threatening messages sent to Western Cape premier Alan Winde, according to police. The messages were received on October 17 and allegedly included a direct threat to shoot Winde, as well as other intimidating language. Police spokesperson Colonel André Traut said detectives from the provincial murder and robbery unit worked with crime intelligence to follow investigative leads and identify a suspect. Officers obtained an arrest warrant after gathering and analysing information, he said. The suspect was arrested at about 3:30am on Friday in Kensington. Police also seized a cellphone they believe may have been used in the alleged offence. The man faces charges relating to intimidation and alleged contraventions of the Cybercrimes Act. Traut said police treat threats seriously, particularly when they target the safety of individuals or public representatives, and that the matter would be handled through the legal process. The arrest follows an investigation into messages directed at Winde, who is not reported to have been physically harmed. Police have not disclosed further details about the alleged sender or the contents of the messages beyond the threat described by Traut.