Reagan Cheslin Collis, one of three men accused in the Reiger Park murders, has alleged that police tortured him for more than three hours to force him to confess.
Collis, 23, made the allegations during his formal bail application in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
He, Jamal Meyer, 24, and Elvino Levert Crafford, 27, face charges linked to the deaths of two Gauteng Anti-Gang Unit officers and two women.
Collis says confession was forced
Collis told the court through an affidavit read by his attorney, Samkele Kuzani, that police placed plastic over his head and demanded that he confess.
He claimed the alleged torture continued for more than three hours while he was tightly handcuffed and lying on his stomach.
Collis said he eventually confessed to killing the two officers and two women and implicated Meyer.
He later retracted the confession, telling the court it was made because of the alleged torture.
Collis intends to plead not guilty.
Accused relies on alibi
Collis told the court he was at home with friends when the shooting happened.
He said video footage from the property would support his alibi and claimed more than four witnesses could confirm his version.
According to Collis, he only went outside after the shooting to help the occupants of a Volkswagen Polo Vivo.
He also denied possessing the firearm used in the killings and said no murder weapon had been found in his possession.
Kuzani asked for CCTV footage to be played in court.
Prosecutor Matthews Rampyapedi opposed the request, but the magistrate allowed the footage to be shown while permitting the State to rely on the investigating officer’s affidavit.
Co-accused also deny involvement
Meyer and Crafford also denied participating in the killings.
Both told the court they were at home when the shooting happened.
The victims were Anti-Gang Unit Constables Thapelo Tlomatsana, 29, and Sphiwe Sibeko, 28, along with civilians Roleen Lessing and Jaydin Margerman.
Police said the officers were conducting crime-prevention patrols when they heard gunfire and drove towards it before they were allegedly ambushed.
The bail hearing continues.