GAUTENG – Police have recovered two stolen service rifles and taken a known gangster in for questioning following the killing of two Anti-Gang Unit constables and two women in Reiger Park.

The two R5 rifles belonging to slain constables Thapelo Tlomatsane (29) and Sphiwe Sibeko (28) were recovered at the KwaDukathole Informal Settlement in Germiston on 9 August following a weekend-long tracing operation.

The two officers were killed in an apparent ambush on the night of 7 August while responding to a shooting involving two civilian women, Roleen Lessing (36) and Jaydin Magerman (27), who were also killed in the attack.

According to police, gunmen shot the two women through the windscreen of their red Volkswagen Polo before opening fire on the responding officers at about 7:30 pm in Reiger Park, Ekurhuleni.

A multi-disciplinary team comprising the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, Gauteng Crime Intelligence Tactical and Special Operations, the Provincial Tracking Team, Tactical Response Team and Anti-Gang Unit conducted the operation that led to the recovery of the firearms.

The person taken in for questioning is a known gangster who was out on bail and had several outstanding cases before the courts, including two counts of murder, two of attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Acting National Head of the South African Police Service Lieutenant General Sphesihle Nkosi conveyed his condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the slain officers, saying the recovery of the firearms demonstrated police determination to pursue those who target officers and communities.

The investigation into the killings remains ongoing, with police continuing to pursue all those allegedly involved. Police said they are not ruling out the possibility of more arrests.

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