RUSTENBURG – In a major breakthrough, the South African Police Services have arrested two suspects in connection with the shocking murder of an elderly couple who were shot dead during a road rage incident in a Rustenburg shopping centre parking lot this past weekend.
The suspects, aged 29 and 41, were apprehended following intensive investigative work by local authorities. The arrests come just days after the brutal killing that has shocked the community of Rustenburg in North West Province.
According to police reports, the elderly couple, George (68) and Wilma (65) Koster were fatally shot on Saturday afternoon following an altercation with occupants of a white Kia Rio without number plates in the parking lot of a local shopping centre. Paramedics who responded to the scene declared both victims dead upon arrival.
“The arrest of the two suspects is a result of excellent crime intelligence work in identifying, locating and tracking the vehicle that was used to flee from the crime scene,” police said in a statement on Wednesday. “The vehicle was traced, found and seized at Ndamoyi, Boitekong.”
During questioning, the first suspect admitted that he was driving the Kia Rio vehicle on the day of the incident and was accompanied by his friend who allegedly shot the elderly couple before they fled the scene. The driver then led police to Rustenburg East where his accomplice was staying.
Upon arrival at the location, police found the second suspect in possession of a pistol. He was immediately placed under arrest and the firearm was seized. Authorities are conducting ballistic tests to determine if the weapon was used in the double murder.
The suspects will appear before the Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 19 June, facing two counts of murder.
Major General Asaneng, who is overseeing the case, issued a stern warning to criminals: “These swift arrests should send a strong message to those who commit crime that the police in the province will relentlessly track them down and that they will have no place to hide.”
Police have urged anyone with additional information about the case to come forward as investigations continue.
