By Levy Masiteng
The third suspect accused in connection with the killing of two Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) police officers and two women in Reiger Park will return to the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court next week Tuesday for a formal bail application alongside his co-accused.
Elvino Levert Crafford, 27, appeared before the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where his case was postponed for a formal bail application.
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Crafford is facing charges relating to the deaths of two police officers and two civilian women who were killed during a shooting in Reiger Park on 7 August.
His matter is expected to be heard together with that of 23-year-old Reegan Cheslyn Collins, who is also scheduled to return to the same court on Tuesday for a formal bail application.
Collins appeared in the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court earlier this month, where his matter was postponed to the same date.
The Hawks said Crafford faces charges similar to those of his co-accused, with the State alleging that the accused acted in common purpose in the commission of the offences.
During his appearance on Friday, Crafford alleged that he had been assaulted by police while in custody and requested medical treatment.
The Hawks confirmed that the allegation was raised in court but did not provide further details on the alleged assault.
Crafford was arrested on Wednesday by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team based in Germiston following an intelligence-driven operation.
According to them, investigators traced the 27-year-old to Ekurhuleni before arresting him in connection with the Reiger Park killings.
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The arrest brought to three the number of suspects who had been identified and charged in connection with the deaths.
The latest development came as investigators continue to build their case around the deadly shooting that claimed the lives of Constables Thapelo Tlomatsane and Sphiwe Sibeko, who were members of the SAPS Anti-Gang Unit, as well as civilians Roleen Lessing and Jaydin Magerman.
The four were killed on the night of 7 August in Reiger Park. Reports at the time indicated that the two police officers had been responding to reports of gunfire when they were attacked. The two women had also been shot in the area.
Collins faces four murder charges and charges relating to the possession of unlicensed firearms.
The Hawks previously indicated that the investigation could result in additional charges as investigators continued to gather evidence.
“Preliminary investigations have revealed that we have enough evidence to put in more charges,”Gauteng Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said previously.
The killing of the four people sent shockwaves through Reiger Park, with residents expressing concern about persistent violence and gangsterism in the area.
Following the shootings, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi described the attack on the police officers as an attack on the state.
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“My argument is very simple, you attack policemen, you attack the state,” Lesufi said.
Meanwhile, Acting National Head of the Hawks, Lieutenant General Sphesihle Nkosi, praised investigators for tracking down Crafford.
“The Hawks will remain steadfast in our efforts to investigate and apprehend those who involve themselves in taking innocent lives, particularly the lives of our law enforcement officers,” Nkosi said.
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