Police investigating after home of notorious Port Elizabeth gangster torched

Port Elizabeth police have launched an investigation after a house along Van Duuren Street in Gelvandale, Port Elizabeth, allegedly belonging to notorious gang kingpin, Wendell Petersen, was set alight in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Petersen is currently in police custody after being denied bail three times. He faces three murder charges as well as charges relating to the conspiracy to commit murder, the illegal possession of a firearm and the illegal possession of ammunition.

According to the police, six people were at the house when they heard loud banging noises at the steel gate leading to the upper storey of the house.

“It is alleged that about six to seven heavily-clad men, armed with firearms and swords, forced the gate open and entered,” said police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu.

She added that all the occupants were ordered to lie on the floor and a 25-year-old male living on the premises was shot in his arm while the others were assaulted.

“The house was set alight and the suspects fled in a double cab LDV. The injured was taken to hospital,” said Colonel Naidu.

Police are now investigating cases of arson and attempted murder. No one has been arrested yet.

Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects is urged to contact crime stop or their nearest police station.