Hawks arrest suspect for making threats against President Cyril Ramaphosa

A 28-year-old suspect has been arrested in Gauteng for making threats against President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The suspect was handcuffed in Germiston on Friday by the Hawks’ Crime Against The State (CATS) unit, which is part of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation based in Gauteng.

Threats

Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo said the arrest follows a case reported earlier this month.

“On Monday, 12 May 2025, a complainant, who is the Chief Executive Officer of a Cape Town based company, allegedly received a voice message from the suspect, in which threats were made against the President of South Africa.

“The suspect is also alleged to have sent multiple threatening messages targeting the complainant, her family, and the Executive Mayor of Cape Town,” Mbambo said.

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Arrest

Mbambo added that the matter was reported to the Cape Town based Hawks’ CATS team.

“They conducted a swift investigation resulting in the suspect’s apprehension in Gauteng. The suspect is currently being transported to Cape Town and is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 26 May 2025, where he will face a charge of intimidation.”

Mbambo said investigations are ongoing.

Not the first time

This is not the first time that threats have been made against Ramaphosa.

In 2022, then State Security Minister Zizi Kodwa brushed away claims of threats against the president.

This came after Ramaphosa walked out of the ANC Women’s League’s (ANCWL) Lilian Ngoyi lecture in Limpopo ahead of his January 8 address, and in light of the parliament fire and attack on the Constitutional Court.

In a video, Kodwa was seen whispering something into Ramaphosa’s ear before he, along with his security detail, walked out of the building.

Kodwa would not be drawn into disclosing what he had whispered into the president’s ear.

“There was no security threat against the president. There shouldn’t be any concerns, not only January 8, but generally, there are no issues about threat and risk, but from time to time we do make assessments,” said Kodwa.

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