Three more arrests in R10m insurance murder case
Police in Limpopo yesterday arrested three more suspects in relation to a R10m insurance payout scheme. National police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said the arrests are linked to former SAPS Sergeant Rachel Kutumela, who is accused of killing multiple people for insurance payouts worth R10m.
Mathe said police were executing seven more arrest warrants in the same matter, according to IoL.
‘All suspects are believed to have taken out life and funeral policies on 10 people who were later murdered.' Mathe said yesterday's arrests included two brothers and a sangoma.
‘Kutumela was arrested in October 2024 while on duty. She has since been dismissed from the SAPS. She is in custody with three others: her sister, daughter, and older brother,’ she said.
Kutumela (43), who was stationed at the Senwabarwana Police Station, her sister, Anna Shokane (47), and daughter, Florah Shokane (23), are awaiting trial for allegedly killing nine people for insurance payouts amounting to R10m.
Kutumela faces 32 charges, including nine counts of murder, 12 counts of fraud, money laundering, receiving proceeds of unlawful activities, and defeating the ends of justice.
Anna Shokane faces three counts of murder, and her daughter, Florah, faces charges of murder, money laundering, and fraud.
The court heard that Kutumela was among a group who responded when bodies were discovered, even if it was outside of her jurisdiction.
The state alleges that between 2013 and 2022, Rachel and Anna fraudulently took out life and funeral insurance policies for several victims, subsequently claiming R10m as beneficiaries. They allegedly shared the proceeds with Florah.
Kutumela’s brother, Leshweng Shokane was arrested on 4 November 2025, and faces nine counts of murder and charges of money laundering, receiving the proceeds of unlawful activities, and defeating the ends of justice.
The matter has been transferred to the Limpopo High Court (Polokwane) for trial in October.
The group has been remanded until trial.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
