Two men accused of killing two police officers and two young women in the August Reiger Park shootings will remain behind bars, while two others have been granted bail.
Regan Cheslin Collis, 23, and Jamal Meyer, 24, were denied bail in the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after the magistrate raised concerns about witness intimidation, inconsistencies in evidence and the strength of the state’s case.
Elvino Levert Crafford, 27, and McFoolen Ford, 26, were each granted bail of R5,000 by Magistrate Sipho Manana.
The four men are accused of involvement in the killings that claimed the lives of Roleen Lessing and Jaydin Margerman, as well as Anti-Gang Unit officers Constable Thapelo Tlomatsana and Constable Sphiwe Sibeko.
Lessing and Margerman were killed when the vehicle in which they were travelling came under fire in Reiger Park, Ekurhuleni, on 7 August.
The two police officers were gunned down while responding to the incident.
Four men were subsequently arrested in connection with the killings. The court’s bail ruling separated the accused according to the evidence presented against each of them and the risks identified by the magistrate.
In refusing bail to Collis, Manana said the murders were violent and that there was evidence suggesting that Collis had intimidated witnesses outside court.
The magistrate also questioned Collis’ account of why he was outside his yard. Collis had claimed that he went to assist two women, but Manana said this explanation did not fit the fact that two police officers had already been shot dead.
The court heard that Collis had placed himself outside his yard at a time when the shooting had already taken place. Manana said this raised concerns about his version of events and his possible involvement in the incident.
The magistrate also pointed to differences between Collis’ evidence and his confession.
Manana said Collis knew that one of the accused was not at the scene but nevertheless implicated him in his confession.
The court viewed CCTV footage linked to the case. Manana said the quality of the footage would ultimately be tested during the trial, but he rejected Collis’ argument that the state’s case was weak because there were no eyewitnesses.
The magistrate said the prosecution had presented a strong prima facie case against Collis. A prima facie case means that the evidence, if accepted at that stage, is strong enough to justify the matter continuing to trial.
Collis is also facing another 11 separate charges in the same court, including murder.
Manana considered those pending matters when deciding whether Collis should be released. The magistrate said violence was a common element in the other cases and that Collis had an incentive to evade trial because he could face a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.
The court also considered public reaction to the case. Manana said the public outcry and a community petition against the four accused were further factors that could affect public order if Collis were released.
Meyer was also denied bail.
Manana said Meyer had placed himself at the crime scene but claimed that he arrived later. The magistrate found that Meyer had failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances that would justify his release on bail.
The state had presented a strong prima facie case against Meyer, who was directly linked to the alleged crime through CCTV footage and witnesses.
Manana also raised concerns that Meyer might abscond if released.
The court reached a different conclusion about Crafford. He was granted R5,000 bail after Manana found that the evidence suggested he was not at the crime scene when the shootings happened.
“The investigating officer had testified that only Collis and Meyer were captured on CCTV,” Manana said.
However, the magistrate said Crafford was aware of the crime and had allegedly helped conceal firearms used in the offences.
Manana said this meant Crafford was allegedly an accessory after the fact and had acted to defeat the ends of justice.
The magistrate also noted that Crafford knew police were looking for him and had fled the area.
Despite those concerns, the court granted him bail under conditions intended to limit the risk of interference and ensure that he remains available to attend court.
Ford was also granted R5,000 bail.
Manana said the state did not dispute that Ford was directly linked to the case, but noted that Ford was not aware that police were looking for him.
Ford faces two counts of murder and a charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm.
The magistrate said it was significant that, despite nine people being killed in the broader incident, Ford faced only two murder charges.
Manana further said there was no direct evidence before the court showing that Ford participated in the offences.
As part of their bail conditions, Crafford and Ford may not interfere with witnesses. They must also report to Reiger Park police station every Monday and Friday between 08:00 and 18:00.
The court heard that Collis, Meyer and Crafford were members of the Vatos Locos gang, while Ford belonged to the Sour Boys.
The two gangs are allegedly fighting for territory in Reiger Park. The gang allegations form part of the broader context surrounding the case, but the charges against each accused will still have to be proved in court.
The bail ruling does not amount to a finding of guilt against any of the four men. Collis and Meyer will remain in custody while the criminal case proceeds, while Crafford and Ford will be allowed to remain outside custody under strict conditions.
Speaking outside court, Samkele Kuzani, who represented Collis, Meyer and Crafford, said he had not been instructed to challenge the decision to deny bail to Collis and Meyer.
Kuzani said all his clients remained innocent.
“The court has done what it was supposed to do. I am not here to criticise the judgment,” he said.
He said Collis and Meyer were unhappy after being denied bail.
“Bail has been denied, and the pair are dismayed. The wheels of justice will grind, perhaps in our favour or in the State’s favour,” Kuzani said.
Kuzani was also asked about Crafford’s safety after he was released on bail. His response came amid concerns about possible retaliation and community anger following the killings.
He urged members of the public not to take action against Crafford or any other accused person outside the legal process.
“No one should disturb him. The rule of law says no one should take the law into their own hands. All my clients are protected by the law,” he said.
The warning comes as the case continues against the four accused men and tensions remain high in Reiger Park.
The killing of two Anti-Gang Unit officers has placed additional focus on the dangers faced by police members investigating gang activity. It has also deepened community demands for accountability after the deaths of the two young women and the officers who responded to the shooting.
The next stage of the case will involve further criminal proceedings and the preparation of evidence for trial. The prosecution will have to prove the charges against each accused person beyond reasonable doubt.
Until then, Collis and Meyer will remain behind bars, while Crafford and Ford must comply with their bail conditions, attend court and avoid contact with witnesses.
The court’s ruling has allowed two men to return to the community, but the strict conditions and the warning from the defence lawyer reflect the seriousness of the allegations and the danger of revenge attacks in a case that has already claimed four lives.