One of the three men accused of the Reiger Park massacre that left four people dead has told the Boksburg magistrate's court he would have to be an idiot to gun down heavily armed police officers right where cameras could catch him.
Regan Collis, 23, and his co-accused, Jamal Meyer, 24, and Elvino Crafford, 27, were applying for bail in connection with the 7 August shooting that claimed the lives of two Gauteng anti-gang unit officers and two civilian women.
The state says no – and lists the reasons
The state is opposing bail, citing Collis's extensive criminal history, alleged witness intimidation, his alleged gang links and fears that his release could trigger renewed violence in Reiger Park.
According to the state, Collis has previously faced cases including:
- House robbery involving firearms
- Possession of an unlicensed firearm and stolen property
- Armed robbery
- Double murder
- Attempted murder and other murder investigations
The state also alleges that in one double murder case, witnesses were threatened with death and subsequently placed under witness protection.
In his affidavit, the investigating officer said witnesses in another matter allegedly feared Collis after he had threatened to shoot them outside court.
The state further alleges Collis continued committing offences while out on bail. Prosecutor Matthews Rampyapedi told the court:
"This criminal history started in 2021 and has not stopped."
He said Collis is a well-known gang member whose release could put witnesses and the community at risk.
Collis: "I was at home"
Collis, in his affidavit read by his lawyer Samkelo Kuzani, said he was at home when the shooting happened and argued that it made little sense for him to attack police officers in an area fitted with CCTV cameras.
"It would be very stupid of me to kill the police officers right in front of where I stay, knowing very well that there are cameras."
He claimed video footage would show him at home, and said he later went towards the scene to assist people who had been shot.
The torture claim
Collis made a serious allegation against police, claiming he was tortured for more than three hours and forced to confess.
He also implicated Meyer in the alleged confession – but later withdrew the allegation, saying he only mentioned his co-accused because of the alleged torture.
What the state says about the other two
Jamal Meyer: The state alleges he has a pending case involving possession of suspected crystal methamphetamine. He also faces allegations linked to a 2023 murder and attempted murder case in which witnesses allegedly told police they had been threatened by him.
"The accused is also part of the Vartos-Latos gang, and they rule by intimidation and fear," Rampyapedi said.
Elvino Crafford: He has no previous cases against his name, according to the state, which alleges he helped conceal the stolen police rifles.
The community speaks
Outside court, Reiger Park resident Lorraine Hartnieck did not hold back:
"…this court is failing us because the guys come to court for serious crimes and they are charged, and two days thereafter, you see them walking in the street."
The matter was postponed to 8 September for bail judgment.
