Police have arrested a second suspect in connection with the Reiger Park killings that claimed the lives of two Anti-Gang Unit officers and two women, adding a major development to a case that has been complicated by questions over whether the first accused, Reagan Cheslin Collis, was actually the shooter.
The 24-year-old suspect was arrested on Sunday afternoon in Reiger Park following an intensive tracing operation by a multidisciplinary team comprising the Hawks, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department, the SAPS Anti-Gang Unit and the Flying Squad.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the arrest, while Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia welcomed the development as an important step towards bringing everyone responsible for the killings to justice. The suspect is expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court this week.
“This arrest is another important step towards ensuring that everyone responsible for this senseless loss of life is held accountable,” Cachalia said, while also thanking members of the Reiger Park community whose information assisted investigators.
Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane similarly praised residents who came forward, saying the arrest demonstrated the importance of cooperation between communities and law enforcement.
The latest arrest comes as police continue to maintain that 23-year-old Collis is the alleged gunman responsible for the shooting.
Collis was arrested last week and 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. His case was postponed to 25 August for a formal bail application.
Two R5 rifles were also recovered during the operation that led to Collis’ arrest at the KwaDukathole informal settlement in Germiston.
However, the case against Collis has since come under scrutiny following CCTV footage reportedly obtained by IOL and eNCA. A source familiar with the footage has disputed the police version and claimed that Collis was inside his grandmother’s home when the shooting happened.
According to the source cited by IOL, the footage allegedly shows another man wearing a dark hoodie and red tracksuit pants shooting the two women before fleeing in a silver-grey Volkswagen Polo. Collis is allegedly seen afterwards confronting the man and saying, “I saw you.”
The footage and the source’s claims have not, however, been tested in court and do not amount to a finding that Collis is innocent. Police have not withdrawn the charges against him and continue to maintain that he has a case to answer.
The second suspect’s arrest could now become significant in determining the roles allegedly played by different people during the attack.
The killings happened on 7 August after the two Anti-Gang Unit officers, Constables Thapelo Tlomatsana, 29, and Sphiwe Sibeko, 28, reportedly responded to reports of gunshots while on crime-prevention patrols. They were allegedly ambushed after driving towards the scene.
Civilians Roleen Lessing and Jaydin Margerman were also killed.
The 24-year-old suspect is expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court this week, while Collis remains in custody ahead of his 25 August court appearance.
