CRIME SCENE: Kensington, Cape Town: A 46-year-old man had an unlucky start to the day when police pounced on him in the early hours of Friday, 13 November 2026 for allegedly threatening the Western Cape Premier.

The Western Cape police arrested the suspect at about 3:30 at a premises in Kensington in connection with threatening messages directed at the Premier Alan Winde.

According to the police the arrest follows an investigation into intimidating text messages received by Winde on 17 October 2026. 

“The messages allegedly contained threats directed at the Premier, as well as a direct threat to shoot him.

“Detectives from the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit, working closely with Crime Intelligence, pursued several leads to identify and trace the suspect. Following the gathering and analysis of relevant information, an arrest warrant was obtained.

“A cellular telephone believed to have been used in the commission of the offence was seized during the arrest,” the police said.

The suspect is facing charges relating to intimidation and contraventions of the Cybercrimes and is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 13 November 2026.

“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,” the police said.