A 46-year-old man from Kensington, Granville Carlson, has been referred for a medical assessment after being arrested and charged with allegedly threatening to shoot and kill Western Cape Premier Alan Winde. Carlson, a convicted murderer, appeared in the Cape Town Magistrates' Court on Friday, where he made his first appearance following his arrest at 3:30 am at his home in Kensington. During the arrest, police confiscated his cellphone, which is believed to have been used in the commission of the offence.
According to police spokesperson Colonel André Traut, the alleged threat took place on October 17, 2026, and Carlson had allegedly threatened to shoot and kill the Premier. The arrest follows an investigation into intimidating text messages received by the complainant. Detectives from the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit, working closely with Crime Intelligence, pursued several investigative leads to identify and trace the suspect. An arrest warrant was obtained, and Carlson was arrested at his home in Kensington.
Carlson is charged with threatening a person, threatening to damage property, and threatening to shoot and kill the Premier of the Western Cape. The state also alleged that he made defamatory comments by swearing at the Premier. When the court was preparing to inform Carlson that he may seek legal or private counsel, or represent himself, he raised his hand, stating: "I will be representing myself... it is important." The magistrate warned him that it was not at trial level for him to discuss the merits of the case.
The state then interjected that the accused be referred to the district surgeon, and Carlson agreed, stating that he had to see the district psychiatrist, Eksteen. He claimed that he had been through the process and Winde was aware of his condition. Carlson also mentioned that he was currently busy with litigation at the Western Cape High Court, which was now in the hands of the Chief Registrar, and that it had also been referred to the Judicial Conduct Committee and the Magistrates Commission.
Carlson has a previous conviction for murder and robbery, for which he was sentenced to 25 years in prison after stabbing Ashraf Maistry, slitting his throat, and robbing him of his cellphone and cash in March 1998. He was released on parole nearly 20 years ago. In November 2024, the Western Cape High Court found Carlson in contempt for violating prior orders by launching unauthorised Equality Court and other applications, and sentenced him to a R4,000 fine or four months' imprisonment, suspended for five years.
Western Cape MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais welcomed the arrest of Carlson, saying that it was essential to send a clear message that there are consequences if you make such serious threats towards any person. The matter must now be tested in court. The Premier's office declined to comment at this stage.
Carlson will be back in the dock on November 17 to see the district surgeon, and he also asked when he could have his bail application. The magistrate indicated that she would consider his request. Carlson thanked the magistrate for her consideration in allowing him to speak and asked that the Office of the Chief Justice be aware of where he was.
Key points
- The suspect, Granville Carlson, is a convicted murderer who was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
- Carlson is charged with threatening to shoot and kill Western Cape Premier Alan Winde.
- The Western Cape High Court had previously found Carlson in contempt for violating prior orders.
