Reiger Park murders: Third arrest as CCTV raises questions over alleged gunman

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the deadly Reiger Park shootings that killed two Gauteng Anti-Gang Unit officers and two civilians, but conflicting accounts about who pulled the trigger continue to cloud the investigation. The latest arrest, of 27-year-old Elvino Levert Crafford, brings the total number of accused to three, though questions persist regarding the identity of the alleged gunman. Crafford appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday morning facing charges related to the killings. He was arrested on Wednesday by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team based in Germiston, Ekurhuleni. According to Colonel Katlego Mogale, a Hawks spokesperson, Crafford faces the same charges as his co-accused under the doctrine of common purpose, suggesting all three individuals are believed to have participated in the crimes. During his initial court appearance, Crafford showed visible facial bruising, which his attorney, Samkele Kuzani, attributed to alleged brutality during his arrest. Kuzani requested the charge sheet be endorsed so Crafford could receive medical attention. His case was postponed until August 25 for a formal bail application, along with his co-accused. The primary suspect identified by police is 23-year-old Reagan Cheslin Collis, who 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 representatives. A source familiar with the incident and having viewed CCTV footage from the night of the shooting suggested that Collis might not have been the actual shooter. This claim has yet to be verified in court. The investigation began after the deaths of Constables Thapelo Tlomatsana, 29, and Sphiwe Sibeko, 28, both members of the Anti-Gang Unit, as well as civilians Roleen Lessing and Jaydin Margerman. Police stated that the officers were conducting routine crime prevention patrols in Reiger Park when they heard gunshots. They responded to the sound of gunfire, only to be ambushed. The exact circumstances leading up to the attack are still under scrutiny. Collis was arrested following a multidisciplinary tracing operation that led police to the KwaDukathole informal settlement in Germiston, where two R5 rifles were recovered. Authorities maintain that Collis is the individual responsible for the shootings. He appeared in court earlier this month, and his case was postponed to August 25 for a formal bail hearing. Collis is currently detained at Modderbee prison due to security concerns. A source with access to the CCTV footage from the night of the incident indicated discrepancies between the video and the police narrative. According to the source, Collis was inside his grandmother’s home during the shooting. The footage reportedly shows another man dressed in a dark hoodie and red tracksuit pants firing upon the two women before escaping in a silver-grey Volkswagen Polo. The source added that Collis was later seen confronting the alleged perpetrator and stating, “I saw you.” These claims have not been substantiated in court, nor have they been acknowledged by police. Further complicating matters, the source alleged that Collis and his associates had a long-standing feud with a gang known as the “Sour Boys,” and had received threats from them hours prior to the shooting. It is suggested that the attack was targeted against Collis and his companions rather than the officers. However, these allegations remain unverified and have not been officially addressed by law enforcement. Jamal Meyer, the second person charged in relation to the killings, appeared in court earlier in the week. Through his legal counsel, Meyer claimed he had been subjected to brutal treatment by police and was suffering from severe chest pain. His case is also set for a bail hearing on August 25. As the investigation unfolds, the role each accused played in the tragic events continues to be scrutinized, with new evidence potentially reshaping the understanding of what transpired in Reiger Park.