An alleged murder suspect’s futile attempts to evade arrest eventually ran out when members of the Anti-Gang Unit arrested him yesterday morning, 15/01 hiding in a house in William Slammert Drive in Bloemendal.

It is alleged that on Sunday, 19 December 2021 at about 12:15, the body of Alviro Potberg (27) was found lying next to a boundary wall in the street at the corners of Baatjies and Fitchard Roads in Helenvale.  He sustained a gunshot wound in his eye and died at the scene.

As the investigation unfolded, the suspect, a gang affiliate was identified and police were on the hunt for him.  On Saturday at about 08:30, AGU members acted on information received of the possible whereabouts of the alleged suspect. The house in Bloemendal was tactically approached and the suspect was found hiding in the ceiling.

The suspect, aged 28-year-old is expected to appear in the Gqeberha magistrate court on Monday, 16/01 on a charge of murder.

In another unrelated incident, AGU members arrested a 33-year-old Missionvale man soon after responding to a complaint of shooting in Monza Street in Missionvale. The suspect was spotted running in Phoenix Street and was intercepted in Cadillac Street where he was arrested. As he ran, members noticed him hiding something in a bucket inside a shack. A silver .38 revolver (serial number filed off) was recovered.

The suspect was detained on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm and will appear in the Gqeberha magistrate court on Monday, 17/01.

Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Brigadier Thandiswa Kupiso applauded the efforts of the Anti-Gang Unit and is warning gang members that “we will continue to infiltrate the gang hotspots and occupy their spaces in order to ensure the safety of our communities. It is only a matter of time before we, the police flush them out and arrest them.’”

Source: South African Police Service