The Provincial Gang Investigation Unit is investigating a case of murder and attempted murder after a 39-year-old Helenvale man and a woman were allegedly shot while the couple was inside the house.
It is alleged that at about 15:00 today, Mark Stallenberg and a friend (28-years-old) were in the bedroom of his house in Chamois Street Helenvale when two men entered the house through the back door. Shots were fired at the couple, fatally wounding Stallenberg in his neck. The other person sustained a gunshot wound on her lower abdomen. At this stage the motive for the attack on the couple is unknown and the victims have no gang affiliation.
In another incident, a 19-year-old youth was arrested at about 08:00 this morning in Devour Road Gelvandale by members of the National Intervention Unit (NIU) deployed to work in the Northern areas and the Motherwell Clusters focussing on serious and violent crimes. It was alleged that three males were walking in the Katanga area with firearms on them. NIU members immediately acted on the information received and the youth was arrested at a house in Ibex Street. It was later established that the firearm was in fact a toy gun however the youth was detained after investigations revealed that he was wanted on two separate cases of attempted murder which took place in Gelvandale in October 2018. He is expected to appear in court soon.
In a separate incident, Kabega Park members followed up on information received about a suspicious VW Fox driving in the Kuyga area. The vehicle was spotted and stopped. It is alleged that as the members approached the vehicle, the driver attempted to pull something out but the quick reaction of the members thwarted an attacked on them. The driver (27) was found in possession of a .38 revolver and 2 rounds of ammunition. He was arrested and detained on charges of illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition. He will appear in court tomorrow, 5 November 2018.
In a special operation conducted last night, 3 November 2018 in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth, police recovered a 9mm pistol and 6 rounds of ammunition found buried in the yard at a house in Sapphire Street in Booysens Park. No arrests.
The Cluster Commander for Mount Road, Maj Gen Thembisile Patekile extended his appreciation to the community on reporting suspicious behaviour in their neighbourhoods. ‘These successes is as a result of the community’s alertness and their swift reporting to the police. The community and the police must work ‘hand in glove’ towards our common goal of making our communities safe and secure. Firearms out of the hands of criminals is a deterrent for the commission of serious and violent crimes,’ added Maj Gen Patekile.
The Provincial Gang Investigation Unit is appealing to the communities of Helenvale and Bethelsdorp to assist them in tracing those responsible in this weekend’s fatal shootings in both areas. Any information relating to these incidents may be communicated to Lt Col Mike Grobler on 082442 1825 or Crime Stop 08600 1011 or their nearest police station. All information is confidential and callers have the right to remain anonymous.