Regan Cheslyn Collis, Jamal Meyer and Elvino Levert Crafford appeared before the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 25 August 2026 for their formal bail application in connection with the Reiger Park mass shooting that killed two Anti-Gang Unit officers and two civilian women on 7 August 2026. Image:
Three men accused of the Reiger Park mass shooting appeared together before the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 25 August 2026. The Reiger Park bail hearing took a dramatic turn. Furthermore, Regan Cheslyn Collis, 23, Jamal Meyer, 24, and Elvino Levert Crafford, 27, all denied involvement and pointed to CCTV footage as potential proof of their innocence. As a result, the court postponed the matter to 8 September 2026 to view the footage and continue the bail application.
The state opposes bail for all three. They face four counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The charges stem from the 7 August 2026 shooting that killed two Anti-Gang Unit officers and two civilian women. Constable Thapelo Tlomatsane, 29, and Constable Sphiwe Sibeko, 28, died in the attack. Cousins Jaydin Magerman and Rolene Lessing also died. Furthermore, the state alleges the accused robbed the two slain officers of their service rifles. As a result, the accused face one of the most serious charge sheets heard at the Boksburg court in recent times.
The most dramatic moment came when Collis’s lawyer Samkelo Kuzani read his client’s affidavit. Collis claims police tortured him into confessing to the killings. He says the confession the state intends to use came under duress. Furthermore, the defence argued the wrong men may be before the court entirely. Kuzani told the magistrate the actual killers remain at large. As a result, the torture claim has added a serious legal complication to the proceedings.
Crafford appeared in court last Friday showing bruises on his face. He claimed officers assaulted him during his arrest. The court ordered medical treatment at that earlier appearance. On Tuesday his lawyer argued the state did not dispute he might have an alibi for 7 August but alleged he played a role in related events the following day. Furthermore, Meyer also claims officers tortured him and that he suffered chest pain after his arrest. As a result, all three accused put police misconduct at the centre of their bail applications.
CCTV footage has emerged as a key battleground. All three accused argued it could show they were not at the scene. The state countered that the footage is limited. Prosecutor Rampyapedi told the court it only shows inside the yard at a specific time and does not capture what happened on the street. Furthermore, the court accepted that viewing the footage needs more time. As a result, the full CCTV footage will go before the court on 8 September 2026.
Police maintain that Collis is the alleged gunman. He is at Modderbee Prison for security reasons. A multidisciplinary team including the Hawks, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department and the Anti-Gang Unit arrested Meyer. Crafford became the third arrest. Furthermore, a fourth person is also in custody but his case proceeds separately. As a result, multiple suspects now face different courts in connection with the same attack.
Editors Note The law presumes Regan Cheslyn Collis, Jamal Meyer and Elvino Levert Crafford innocent until a court proves otherwise. No court has proven any of the charges. All claims of torture and police assault are allegations the court has not tested or accepted. The bail application continues on 8 September 2026.