Brazilian police arrested 39-year-old Gerhard Jansen van Vuuren in Rio de Janeiro, on Thursday, seven years after he fled the country using false documentation.

He was initially arrested for the murder of his 25-year-old ex-girlfriend, Andrea Venter,  outside her residential complex in Johannesburg in December 2013.

Jansen van Vuuren tried but failed in a suicide attempt at the scene of the crime and was subsequently arrested. He appeared in court and was granted bail but fled the country four days before his trial was due to commence.

SAPS management said in a statement that his arrest was a victory for crimes against women and children.

It followed a prolonged investigation by SAPS’ Investigative Psychology Section, Interpol Pretoria, the National Prosecuting Authority, and the Brazilian Federal Police.

SAPS said that Van Vuuren was arrested by Brazilian authorities in August 2013 on a charge of being in possession of false documentation and released in 2015 after serving a sentence for this crime.

Since then, Interpol Pretoria had been in contact with Brazilian authorities to locate him, which culminated in his arrest at an identified address in Brazil.

“This team’s efforts in tracking down this suspect after many years of him being on the run should be commended by all,” said National Police Commissioner, General Khehla Sitole.

“Our focus remains on extraditing him back into the country to stand trial for the murder of his ex-girlfriend with the intention of bringing closure to the family and friends of the deceased,” he said.

Algoa FM