The investigation into the killing of two Gauteng Anti-Gang Unit officers and two women in Reiger Park, Ekurhuleni, has progressed to the arrests now of three supects and the recovery of two R5 rifles – but a dispute still hangs over who carried out the shooting.
The third suspect, Elvino Levert Crafford, 27, appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday morning on charges relating to the killing.
He was arrested on Wednesday by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team based in Germiston, Ekurhuleni.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said Crafford faced the same charges as his co-accused under the doctrine of common purpose, as all three allegedly participated in the crimes.
During his first appearance, Crafford had visible bruises on his face.
His lawyer, attorney Samkele Kuzani, told the court that Crafford alleged he had been brutally assaulted by police during his arrest.
Kuzani asked that the charge sheet be endorsed to allow Crafford to receive medical attention.
Crafford’s case was postponed to August 25 for a formal bail application in the same court alongside his co-accused.
Police have identified 23-year-old Reagan Cheslin Collis as the alleged gunman.
He faces four counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and charges relating to the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Image: Timothy Bernard/ANA Studio
Collis has denied the allegations through his legal representation and a source familiar with the incident who has seen CCTV footage linked to the shooting has disputed the police version, saying that Collis may not have been the shooter.
The claims have not been tested in court.
The developments come as Jamal Meyer, the second person charged in connection with the killings, appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Meyer told the court, through his lawyer, that he had been brutally assaulted by police and was experiencing sharp chest pain.
The four victims
The shooting claimed the lives of Anti-Gang Unit officers Constables Thapelo Tlomatsana, 29, and Sphiwe Sibeko, 28, as well as civilians Roleen Lessing and Jaydin Margerman.
Police said the officers were conducting crime-prevention patrols in Reiger Park when they heard gunshots.
They drove towards the source of the gunfire, where they were allegedly ambushed.
The circumstances surrounding the attack remain under investigation.
The first arrest
Collis, 23, was arrested following a multidisciplinary tracing operation.
The operation led police to the KwaDukathole informal settlement in Germiston, where two R5 rifles were recovered.
Police have maintained that Collis is the gunman responsible for the shootings.
He appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court last week, when his case was postponed to August 25 for a formal bail application.
Collis is being held at Modderbee prison for security reasons.
Image: Supplied/NPA
CCTV account disputes police version
A source with knowledge of the incident who has seen CCTV footage from the night of the shootings told IOL that the footage raises questions about whether Collis was the person who fired the shots.
According to the source, Collis was inside his grandmother’s house when the shooting took place.
The source claims the footage shows another man wearing a dark hoodie and red tracksuit pants shooting the two 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.”
The source also alleged that Collis and his associates had a longstanding rivalry with a gang known as the “Sour Boys” and had received threats from the group hours before the shooting.
It is claimed that the attack was intended to target Collis and his associates.
These allegations have not been tested in court, and police have not publicly confirmed this version of events.
The second arrest
Meyer was arrested on Sunday, August 16, following an intensive tracing operation by a multidisciplinary team.
He made his first court appearance on Tuesday.
Attorney Kuzani asked that the charge sheet be endorsed so Meyer could receive medical attention.
The state did not oppose the request.
State prosecutor Leswikane Mashabela said he was concerned by the allegation but did not object to Meyer receiving medical attention.
Meyer remains in custody.
Dispute over Collis’ detention
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Kuzani also asked the court to order that Collis be transferred from Modderbee to a correctional facility in Boksburg.
He argued that Collis should be detained closer to the court and that the proper legal procedure had not been followed in placing him at Modderbee.
The state opposed the request, pointing to an existing court order allowing Collis to remain at Modderbee until a specified date.
Mashabela said that once the order lapsed, the state would bring a substantive application regarding Collis’ detention.
What happens next?
All three accused are expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on August 25, when formal bail applications are expected to be heard.
Meyer remains in custody.
Collis also remains in custody at Modderbee.
The defence is expected to place the evidence surrounding the shooting incidents and the men’s subsequent arrests under further scrutiny as they seek bail and the investigation continues.
