Koster Couple’s Killers Granted Bail 

Rustenburg — The two men accused of murdering George (68) and Wilma Koster (65) in a shocking public shooting at Platinum Square Shopping Centre have been granted bail by the High Court of South Africa, North West Division, Mahikeng.

The tragic incident took place on 14 June 2025 in the shopping centre’s parking area — an event that left the Rustenburg community horrified and the Koster family devastated.

High Court Overturns Bail Refusal
In a judgment handed down on 21 October 2025 and finalised on 22 October 2025, acting judge B. Mabuza overturned an earlier Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court ruling that had refused bail. The court found that the magistrate “erred in law and fact, over-emphasised speculative risks, and disregarded relevant mitigating factors.”

The two accused — Onke Mbongo (40) and Gift Tinyiko Mhlanga (29) — are charged with two counts of murder and defeating the ends of justice for allegedly concealing their getaway vehicle after the shooting.

Judge Mabuza ruled that there was no evidence the accused planned to flee, interfere with witnesses, or posed a danger to the public. The judge stressed that public outrage alone cannot justify pre-trial detention, reaffirming that every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Strict Bail Conditions
Bail was granted on 22 October 2025, set at R5,000 each, under the following conditions:

• The accused must report to Rustenburg Police Station every Sunday at 18:00.
• They may not contact or interfere with any state witnesses.
• They must reside at their verified addresses until the trial concludes.
• Any change of address must be reported to the investigating officer, within 24 hours.
• They must attend every court appearance until the criminal trial is finalised.
• Failure to comply will result in immediate cancellation of bail and re-arrest.

What Happened That Day
According to the State, the shooting followed a minor parking-lot collision between the accused’s white Kia Picanto and the Koster couple’s vehicle. An argument allegedly ensued, during which George Koster was shot first, and his wife Wilma — who tried to intervene — was also shot and killed.

The State’s version is that the victims were unarmed when the shooting occurred. 

The defence’s version is that the accused acted in self-defence, claiming the Kosters were armed and that they 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.”

Maruma added that “the community was deeply angered by the killings, which drew national media attention. Local radio stations and the public expressed outrage, and court attendance reflected high public interest.”

Case Postponed
Sivenathi Gunya, North West communications officer for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), confirmed to Platinum Weekly that the matter has been postponed to 29 January 2026 for further investigations.

Family Speaks Out
The Koster couple’s daughter, Jacqueline, spoke to Platinum Weekly on behalf of herself and her brothers, George and Stanley, expressing the family’s heartbreak and fear: “We want to ask that the community please stand together and be cautious. Our case returns to court on 29 January, and we ask that people support us — to sit with us in court, and to help us seek justice for my parents.”

Jacqueline and her brothers say they feel as though the most important people in their lives were taken from them. Now, with the accused released on bail, they are even afraid to go to the shops — fearing they might cross paths with the people accused of killing their parents.

Community Calls for Justice
The murder of George and Wilma Koster continues to weigh heavily on the Rustenburg community. Their children’s appeal is clear — that residents unite peacefully in support of the family’s pursuit of justice when the matter returns to court early next year.

The community says they have not seen any CCTV footage of the incident — and wish they could, if it exists, to compare it with what is being presented in court.