Reiger Park killings: Trio back in court for bail
The three accused are expected to appear together today for their formal bail applications, with the state set to oppose bail.
Three suspects are now behind bars in connection with the August 7 Reiger Park killings that claimed the lives of two women and two SAPS Anti-Gang Unit officers.
The three suspects, all from Reiger Park, were arrested in the township by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and are scheduled to return to the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court today (August 25), where they are expected to apply for bail.
They are all facing four counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and two counts of unlawful possession of firearms.
Regan Collis (23) was the first accused arrested and appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on August 12. Jamal Meyer (24) was arrested on August 16 and made his first court appearance on August 19.
The third suspect, 27-year-old Alvino Crawford, Collis’ cousin, was arrested on August 19 by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team based in Germiston.
He made his first appearance in the same court on August 21.
The state has indicated that the three accused will face the case jointly and that it intends to oppose bail.
The case stems from the shooting in which civilians Jaydin Magerman (27) and Roleen Lessing (31) and Anti-Gang Unit members, constables Thapelo Tlomatsane (29) and Sphiwe Sibeko (28) were killed.
The Hawks have said the investigation remains ongoing and that further arrests cannot be ruled out.
All three allege assault
During their separate brief appearances, defence attorney Samkele Kuzani, who represents all three accused, told the court that his clients had allegedly been assaulted by police during their arrests and detention.
Meyer previously told the court that he had suffered lacerations and bruising and complained of sharp pain in his chest.
Kuzani also told the court that Crawford complained of lacerations to his right cheek, intense pain, and feared he may have internal bleeding, although this had yet to be confirmed medically.
Kuzani further told the court that when he again consulted with Collis in prison, Collis also alleged that he had been assaulted and suspected that he may have suffered internal bleeding.
The defence indicated that the alleged assaults would be raised during the accused’s formal bail applications.
Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said investigators would await the medical assessments and resulting J88 reports from the district surgeon.
“Once the suspects are medically checked, this will indicate whether or not the injuries that they claim were inflicted during their arrests,” said Mogale.
She said the allegations would most likely be dealt with by IPID, depending on the findings.
More arrests not ruled out
Responding to questions about the growing number of accused, Mogale said the DPCI was determined to ensure that those involved in the killings were brought to book.
“As the investigation is unfolding, we are not ruling out the possibility that more suspects will be picked up,” she said.
Mogale said the charges against the accused were the same and were being pursued on the basis of common purpose.
She added that investigators remained on the ground searching for the murder weapons.
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