Suspect to appear in Boksburg court over Reiger Park killings of two Anti‑Gang Unit officers

A 23-year-old man expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday is facing charges in connection with the fatal shooting of two Gauteng Anti‑Gang Unit officers in Reiger Park.

Charges and arrest

The suspect faces two counts of murder and a charge of possession of unlicensed firearms. He was arrested after a multidisciplinary tracing operation over the weekend that led to the recovery of two R5 rifles at the KwaDukathole informal settlement in Germiston.

Agencies involved

The operation was led by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s (DPCI) Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, with support from Gauteng Crime Intelligence Tactical and Special Operations, the Provincial Tracking Team, Tactical Response Team, Anti‑Gang Unit and PRASA.

Victims and incident details

The two slain officers have been identified as Constable Thapelo Tlomatsana, 29, and Constable Sphiwe Sibeko, 28. They were fatally shot in Reiger Park, Ekurhuleni, on Friday evening at about 7.30pm.

Gauteng police described preliminary reports saying the officers were part of a crime prevention team conducting patrols in the area.

“After hearing gunshots, they drove towards the source of the shots, where they were allegedly ambushed,”

The shooting also resulted in the deaths of two civilian women.

Suspect’s record and investigation

Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the suspect, who is known to police as a gangster, was out on bail when arrested and had several pending cases, including two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Mogale said:

“The co-ordinated effort resulted in the identification and arrest of the suspect who allegedly took part in the killing of two Gauteng SAPS Anti-Gang Unit members, Constables Tlomatsana and Sibeko, as well as two civilian women.”

She added:

“Further arrests have not been ruled out.”

On police priorities, Mogale said:

“SAPS and the DPCI remain committed to dismantling criminal networks, removing illegal firearms from communities and ensuring that perpetrators of violence against police officers and civilians are brought to justice.”

Official response and next steps

Investigations are continuing and police are pursuing other people allegedly involved in the killings. Over the weekend, acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, acting national police commissioner Lieutenant‑General Puleng Dimpane and Gauteng provincial police commissioner Lieutenant‑General Tommy Mthombeni visited the families of the slain officers to convey their condolences.

This report is based on information provided by IOL.