The case against the cop who allegedly killed six people for insurance payout has been postponed to next week Thursday after she briefly appeared in the Polokwane District Court today. Sergeant Rachel Shokane-Kutumela was arrested yesterday while on duty at the Senwabarwana Police station. She is accused of listing herself as a beneficiary and claiming over R10-million since 2019.
STATE TO OPPOSE BAIL
Kutumela's arrest comes after months of investigation by a team of detectives, including Captain Keshi Mabunda, who nabbed another cop insurance killer, Rosemary Ndlovu. She is facing 19 charges, including six murders, twelve of fraud and defeating the ends of justice. State Prosecutor Kgaogelo Lekoloane told the court that the state will oppose Kutumela's bail application as it falls under Schedule 6. Lekoloane said this is because the six counts of murder involved were pre-planned. According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, Kutumela (43) knew all her alleged victims. Mathe said investigations revealed that she targeted people who were mentally and physically disabled and those who came from destitute and disadvantaged families. Mathe added that Kutumela is currently linked to about six insurance-related murders, and evidence shows she benefitted at least R10 million.
MORE ARRESTS IMMINENT
According to NPA Limpopo spokesperson Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi, the murders began in 2019 when the insured persons would be found dead and their bodies dumped in different areas. "In one incident, a woman was burnt in her shack and in another, a man who was disabled was discovered drowned in a dam," Malabi-Dzangi said. She added that more arrests are expected. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said as a police officer, Kutumela was entrusted with the safety and security of communities. "For a police officer entrusted with such great responsibility to be involved in such acts is an absolute disgrace. She abused her powers by insuring those who trusted her," Masemola said. He added that this must serve as a strong warning to all involved in such crimes that the long arm of the law will catch up with them.
