Cape Town Man Claims Memory Loss After Threatening To Shoot Premier Winde — Bellville Court Hearing

A 47-year-old man accused of threatening to shoot Western Cape Premier Alan Winde in the face has appeared before the Bellville Magistrate’s Court, where he told the court that he could not remember making the alleged threats.

Ettienne Rousseau, from Parow North, appeared in court on Thursday as his defence requested a postponement to allow him to undergo a formal psychiatric assessment.

According to the state, Rousseau allegedly sent a threatening voice note through WhatsApp in March 2024, in which he threatened to shoot Winde, who is a member of the Democratic Alliance (DA), in the face.

Prosecutors reportedly told the court that the voice note was traced to a cellphone number registered in Rousseau’s name.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that Rousseau is facing charges under the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act, as well as crimen injuria.

Western Cape government spokesperson Demi Kotzen also confirmed that Premier Winde received the alleged threat and immediately reported the matter to the authorities.

Kotzen said the premier takes credible threats against his safety seriously and had fully cooperated with investigators. The South African Police Service’s Protection and Security Services division subsequently launched an investigation into the matter.

Rousseau was initially arrested in April 2024 before being released on R3,000 bail.

His lawyer, Advocate Renaldo Steyn, told the court that his client’s memory difficulties existed before the alleged incident. The defence is therefore seeking further medical examinations, including neurological testing at Stikland Hospital, to establish his mental condition.

The case has reportedly been postponed several times, with previous delays linked to outstanding documents and information that the defence wanted from the state.

Magistrate Dolores Paulsen postponed the matter to 14 August 2025 and instructed Rousseau to report to Stikland Hospital within 21 days for a psychiatric assessment.

The court further ordered that the medical report be submitted at least seven days before the next appearance.

The assessment is expected to help the court establish whether Rousseau is fit to proceed with the legal process, as the case continues following the serious allegations against him.

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