Elderly couple shot dead in parking lot of Rustenburg shopping centre

RedViking said:
Stop trying to police others. Sometimes one should just mind your own business. So what if someone parked in the disabled parking when they are not disabled. Go on with your day. So what if a car quickly sped past you at the stop street. Go on with your day. So what if a taxi cut in front of you. Go on with your day.

They could have been home now.
Click to expand...
Yeah the mafia loves that.
 
PlanesTrainsAutomobiles said:
It does not even work on ph.archive.

@Jean Claude Vaaldamme the gist of why the shooter was found not guilty, pls?
Click to expand...
From AI: "The shooter, Onke Bongo, was acquitted of the murders of George and Wilma Koster. Judge Tebogo Djaje accepted Bongo's defense that he acted in self-defense, claiming the couple had allegedly advanced on him with a traditional fighting stick (knopkierie), causing him to fear for his life."

They were found guilty of fleeing the scene and failing to report to police and were sentenced to 5 years in prison, wholly suspended for 5 years on condition that they don't do it again.

Basically, something something privilege...
 
PlanesTrainsAutomobiles said:
It does not even work on ph.archive.

@Jean Claude Vaaldamme the gist of why the shooter was found not guilty, pls?
Click to expand...

Based on reporting from the court proceedings and trial documentation, here are the key details surrounding the case and the legal arguments behind the acquittal:
1. Key Incident Details
• Victims: George Koster (68) and Wilma Koster (65).
• Location: The parking area of the Platinum Square Shopping Centre in Rustenburg, North West.
• Accused: Onke Mbongo and Gift Tinyiko Mhlanga.
• The Escalation: The incident originated from a minor parking-lot vehicle collision involving a white Kia Picanto/Rio and the Koster couple’s vehicle. A confrontation broke out between the occupants in the parking lot, leading to gunfire. George Koster was shot first, and Wilma Koster was shot when attempting to intervene. Both died at the scene.
2. Legal Defense & Grounds for Acquittal
The prosecution charged the men with double murder and defeating the ends of justice. However, the defense’s argument centered on private defense (self-defense):
• Plea of Self-Defense: The defense argued that during the parking lot altercation, the situation escalated rapidly and aggressively, leading the shooter to reasonably fear for their life and safety.
• Claim of Being Threatened / Armed: The defense asserted that the accused believed the victims were armed or presenting an imminent threat of severe bodily harm, justifying the use of a licensed firearm to stop the perceived threat.
• Disproving Self-Defense Beyond Reasonable Doubt: Under South African criminal law, the burden of proof rests entirely on the State. The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt not only that the accused fired the shots, but that they acted unlawfully without legal justification (i.e., that self-defense was not present).
• Court Outcome: When court evidence, witness testimonies, or forensic reconstructions fail to conclusively disprove the self-defense claim beyond reasonable doubt, the court is legally obligated to grant the benefit of the doubt to the accused, resulting in a verdict of not guilty (vrygespreek).
Click to expand...
 
Jean Claude Vaaldamme said:
Found not guilty
Click to expand...

Can't find it anywhere except one paywalled on netwerk24. Below was on FB 7 months ago. Did the shooters get off on technicality ?
As previously reported by Platinum Weekly, the two accused — Onke Mbongo (40) and Gift Tinyiko Mhlanga (29) — face two counts of murder and a charge of defeating the ends of justice. The charges stem from a shocking public shooting that occurred on 14 June 2025 in the shopping centre’s parking area.

In October 2025, the High Court of South Africa, North West Division in Mahikeng, overturned an earlier decision by the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court that had denied the accused bail. Acting Judge B. Mabuza ruled that the magistrate had erred in law and fact and that public outrage alone could not justify continued detention.

Bail was granted at R5,000 each, under strict conditions including weekly reporting to police, no contact with witnesses, and mandatory attendance at all court proceedings.
Conflicting Versions of Events

According to the State, the fatal shooting followed a minor parking-lot collision between the accused’s white Kia Picanto and the Kosters’ vehicle. An argument allegedly followed, during which George Koster was shot first. Wilma Koster was then shot while attempting to intervene.
The State maintains that both victims were unarmed. This version is supported by eyewitness testimony, CCTV footage, and forensic evidence. The defence, however, claims the accused acted in self-defence, alleging that the Kosters were armed and that the accused feared for their lives.

The accused later cooperated with police and handed over a licensed firearm.
According to lieutenant colonel Patrick Tshifiwe Madijano Maruma, “Accused 1 did not act in self-defence. Both victims were unarmed, and four state witnesses corroborated the State’s version of events. The State has a strong case supported by eyewitnesses, CCTV footage, and forensic exhibits.”
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X