Three accused to apply for bail over Reiger Park killings

Three men charged in the Reiger Park killings are expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for formal bail applications, following the deaths of two Gauteng Anti-Gang Unit officers and two women in Ekurhuleni.

Who is in custody

The accused are named as Reagan Cheslin Collis, 23; Jamal Meyer; and Elvino Levert Crafford, 27. Crafford appeared in court on Friday after his arrest by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team based in Germiston, Ekurhuleni, and his matter was postponed to August 25 for a formal bail application alongside his co-accused.

Charges and detention

Police have identified Collis as the alleged gunman. According to IOL, Collis faces four counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and charges related to the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Collis has denied the allegations through his legal representation. He is being held at Modderbee prison for security reasons.

Allegations of assault during arrest

During earlier court appearances, two of the accused raised allegations of assault by police during their arrests. Crafford, who had visible bruises on his face during his first appearance, and Meyer both told the court through legal representation that they had been assaulted and required medical attention. Their lawyer, attorney Samkele Kuzani, asked that the charge sheets be endorsed to allow them to receive medical care. The state did not oppose Meyer receiving medical attention, and prosecutor Leswikane Mashabela said he was concerned by the allegation but did not object to medical treatment.

CCTV footage and disputed account

According to IOL, a source familiar with the incident who has seen CCTV footage linked to the shooting has disputed the police version, claiming that Collis may not have been the shooter. The same source told IOL that the footage raises questions about whether Collis fired the shots.

According to the source, Collis was inside his grandmother’s house when the two women were shot nearby. The source claims the footage shows another man wearing a dark hoodie and red tracksuit pants shooting the women before fleeing in a silver-grey Volkswagen Polo. The source further claims that Collis is seen afterwards confronting the alleged gunman and saying,

“I saw you.”

IOL has seen the footage, the source said. These claims have not been tested in court, and police have not publicly confirmed the version described by the source.

Victims and circumstances

The shooting killed Anti-Gang Unit officers Constables Thapelo Tlomatsana, 29, and Sphiwe Sibeko, 28, and civilians Roleen Lessing and Jaydin Margerman. Police said the officers were conducting crime-prevention patrols in Reiger Park when they heard gunshots and drove towards the sound, where they were allegedly ambushed. The circumstances surrounding the attack remain under investigation.

Next steps

All three accused are due back in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for formal bail applications. Requests during earlier proceedings included a challenge to Collis’ detention location; his lawyer asked for him to be moved from Modderbee to a correctional facility in Boksburg, a request the State opposed on the basis of an existing court order permitting Collis to remain at Modderbee until a specified date.