Court hears chilling warning from accused in Reiger Park police shooting

Reagan Cheslin Collis, Jamal Meyer and Elvino Levert Crafford face four counts of murder following the fatal shooting of two police officers and two women in Reiger Park.

The investigating officer in the Reiger Park shooting that claimed the lives of two police officers and two women told the Boksburg Magistrates' Court that the first accused had allegedly warned community members that "Reiger Park would burn" if anything happened to him.

The investigating officer argued on Tuesday in an affidavit that the alleged statement demonstrated Reagan Cheslin Collis ’ influence and power in the community.

However, accused Collis, 23, through his lawyer, attorney Samkele Kuzani, denied the allegation.

Collis appeared in court alongside accused number two Jamal Meyer, 24, and accused number, Elvino Levert Crafford, 27, for formal bail applications.

The three men face charges arising from the shooting on August 7 at about 7p.m. in Reiger Park.

It 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 have said the officers were conducting crime-prevention patrols in the area when they heard gunshots.

They drove towards the source of the gunfire and were allegedly ambushed.

According to the investigating officer’s affidavit, two women had stopped in a street near a local supermarket.

“One of the ladies exited the vehicle, her red (Volkswagen) Polo. They were driving in and entered the shop. Shortly after, the lady returned to the vehicle while being seated in the passenger seat,” the affidavit states.

The investigating officer said a suspect approached from the front and fired several shots at the red Volkswagen Polo.

“A patrolling police vehicle then responded to the shooting incident and this is when the two police officers also got shot. All four died in their respective vehicles,” the affidavit states.

The investigating officer said CCTV footage showed Collis and Meyer at the scene and implicated them in the killings. The state intends to present the footage as evidence during the trial.