After three days of bail hearings, Limpopo police Sergeant Rachel Raesetsa Shokane-Kutumela, who has been accused allegedly killing six people for insurance claims, abandoned her bail application midway.
The Sergeant together with her elder sister, Annah Shokane, 47, a nurse at Cintocare Private Hospital in Menlyn, and her daughter Madjadji Flora Shokane, 23, a caregiver at an old-age home in Pretoria North, abandoned their bail on Friday in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court.
Shokane Kutumela was arrested on October 11, 2024 at her work place at Senwabarwana police station in Limpopo.
Two weeks later, police added her daughter and elder sister to the docket.
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.
Malabi-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 Malabi-Dzhangi.
During bail hearing, the police officer admitted to transferring R500,000 to her sister to purchase a Toyota Land Cruiser and a Range Rover at an auction in Pretoria in 2020.
The Sergeant said the vehicles were registered under her sister’s name due to Covid-19 restrictions preventing her from transferring ownership.
Malabi-Dzhangi 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.
Their case was postponed to February 7 for further investigation.
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