Defence plays CCTV in Reiger Park bail hearing, says State’s case is ‘weak’

Lawyer says footage shows accused were at home

Defence lawyer Samkele Kuzani told the court the three video clips he played supported Reagan Cheslin Collis’ claim that he was at home with friends when the shooting occurred. Kuzani said the footage also showed that Jamal Meyer and Elvino Levert Crafford were not present at the scene during the shooting.

“There is no eyewitness who saw Collis pull the trigger, not one,” Kuzani said. “There’s no eyewitness in this case. The State does not have witnesses. Their witness is actually my client, Reagan Collis, as they tortured him to confess to the killing. The State’s case is very weak.”

Shackles removed, latest accused remanded

During proceedings Kuzani asked that the three remaining accused be unshackled at their legs. The State opposed that request on escape-risk grounds, but the magistrate ordered the shackles removed, saying there had been no application to keep them restrained.

Three men Collis, Meyer and Crafford appeared in the dock alongside a fourth accused, Mcfoolen Ford, who was arrested on Friday. Ford, 26, was remanded in custody after his lawyer indicated he would not apply for bail at this stage. His matter was postponed to September 21.

The Hawks said Ford was arrested for possessing an illegal firearm and ammunition and was allegedly found in possession of a revolver, ammunition and two cellphones.

Charges and contested confession

The four men face eight counts of murder, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and charges under the Firearms Control Act.

Collis has told the court he was at home with friends when the shooting took place and that CCTV footage supports his alibi. He said he later went outside to assist the injured occupants of a Volkswagen Polo Vivo carrying the two women.

“In all honesty, I had not shot them. If I had shot them, I would not see the need to help them,” Collis said in court.

Collis denied possessing a firearm and said more than four witnesses could support his version. He has alleged police tortured him for more than three hours and forced him to confess to the killings and implicate Meyer; he later retracted the confession, saying it was made under duress.

Allegations in investigation

According to IOL, a source familiar with the investigation told the publication that the CCTV footage raised questions about whether Collis was the shooter. According to the source, Collis was inside his grandmother’s house when another man allegedly shot the two women before fleeing in a silver-grey Volkswagen Polo. The source also claimed Collis later confronted the alleged gunman.

Next steps

The bail hearing continues. The shooting claimed the lives of Anti-Gang Unit Constables Thapelo Tlomatsana, 29, and Sphiwe Sibeko, 28, and civilians Roleen Lessing and Jaydin Margerman.