BREAKING: Reiger Park shooting: Second suspect arrested as questions remain over alleged gunman

Police have arrested a second suspect in connection with the killing of two Gauteng Anti-Gang Unit officers and two women in Reiger Park, Ekurhuleni, last week.

The 24-year-old man was arrested on Sunday afternoon by a multidisciplinary team comprising the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department, the SAPS Anti-Gang Unit and the Flying Squad.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the man was arrested in Reiger Park after an intensive tracing operation.

The latest arrest comes as police maintain that 23-year-old Reagan Cheslin Collis, who was arrested last week, is the gunman responsible for the shootings.

However, IOL reported on Saturday that a source familiar with the incident, and who has seen related CCTV footage, has disputed the police version, claiming Collis may not have been the shooter.

IOL has seen the footage.

According to the source, Collis was inside his grandmother’s house when the shooting took place. 

It is alleged that CCTV footage 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 gunman and saying: “I saw you.”

It is further alleged that Collis and his friends had a longstanding rivalry with a gang known as the “Sour Boys” and had received threats on Facebook from the group hours before the shooting. 

It is claimed the attack was intended to target Collis and his associates.

Collis was arrested following a multidisciplinary tracing operation that led to the recovery of two R5 rifles at the KwaDukathole informal settlement in Germiston.

He 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 August 25 for a formal bail application.

The shootings 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 said the officers were part of a crime-prevention team conducting patrols in the area when they heard the gunshots which killed the women, and drove towards the source, where they were allegedly ambushed.

The 24-year-old suspect is expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court this week.

Acting national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane welcomed the role played by the Reiger Park community in assisting the investigation.

“This arrest is not only a victory for SAPS; it is also a demonstration of the power of a community that refuses to be silenced by criminals,” Dimpane said.

She assured Reiger Park residents that police and their law-enforcement partners would continue working to identify and arrest those responsible for the violence.

Dimpane emphasised that communities are an important partner in the fight against crime, particularly in areas affected by gang violence.

“When communities speak up, they give police the information we need to move investigations forward. We therefore urge the people of Reiger Park to continue standing with the police and to continue providing information that can help us identify and arrest those who commit violent crimes,” she said.

She urged residents to continue providing information to law enforcement, particularly in communities affected by gang violence.

“We want the people of Reiger Park to know that we hear you. We appreciate those who have chosen to stand up and speak up. Your information matters, and your courage strengthens our investigations. We will continue working with you to reclaim our communities from criminals,” she added.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News