The case against a police woman, her daughter, and sister, arrested on charges of allegedly running a murder for insurance money payment racket, has been postponed to Thursday for further bail proceedings.
Sergeant Rachel Raesetsa Shokane Kutumela was arrested on October 11, 2024 at her work place at Senwabarwana police station in Limpopo.
Two weeks later, police added her sister, Annah Shokane, 47, and her daughter, Madjadji Flora Shokane, 23, to the docket.
In court, it was heard that Annah is a nurse at Cintocare Private Hospital in Menlyn, Pretoria and Madjadji is a caregiver at an old age home in Pretoria North.
The trio face multiple charges, including six counts of murder, money laundering, receiving proceeds from unlawful activities, 12 counts of fraud, and defeating the ends of justice.
“The money laundering charges apply specifically to Rachel Kutumela and her daughter, Madjadji,” said the National Prosecuting Authority’s Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi.
Dzhangi added that the police officer and her sister allegedly took out life, accidental, and funeral insurance policies for several victims and subsequently claimed almost R20 million and they shared the money amongst themselves.
“The payouts were made through various service providers, including ABSA, Standard Bank, Capitec, Hollard, Sanlam, King Price, First National Bank, Assupol, Old Mutual, Onelife, and Clientele,” explained Dzhangi.
She added that the crimes spanned from 2000 until 2024 and victims were found dead in various circumstances.
“Disturbingly, some of the incidents included a woman who was burned in her shack and a disabled man who drowned in a dam. The fatalities occurred in locations such as Soweto, Sebokeng, Matlerekeng, Lebowakgomo, and Seshego,” she stated.
It was said that some of the victims were direct family members of the accused.
The case has been postponed to Thursday for a further bail hearing. The accused are still in custody.
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