Accused in Limpopo insurance-related killings abandon bail bid
Murder-accused police officer, Rachel Shokane-Kutumela and her co-accused sister and daughter, in nine insurance-related killings have abandoned bail application.
The police sergeant, her sister Annah Shokane and her daughter Flora Shokane appeared before the Polokwane District Court in Limpopo on Friday.
They are facing 32 charges including nine counts of murder, money laundering, receiving proceeds of unlawful activities, fraud and defeating the end of justice.
"As the court pleases your Worship, we have then agreed with the defence that the matter be postponed until 7 February 2025 to enable the state to complete the investigations," said Senior Public Prosecutor Kgaogelo Lekoloane. Since the accused abandoned the bail, we request that they be remanded in custody."
Rachel is accused of killing at least six people while her sister Annah, who is a nurse at the Cintocare Private Hospital in Menlyn, is accused of killing three.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says the sisters claimed approximately R20 million from insurance policies upon death of their victims as sole beneficiaries.
"The accused reportedly received multiple insurance payouts through various service providers, including ABSA, Standard Bank, Capitec, Hollard, Sanlam, King Price, First National Bank, Assupol, Old Mutual, Onelife, and Clientele," says NPA spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi.
"The alleged crimes, spanning from 2019 to 2024, involved multiple insured individuals who subsequently died under suspicious circumstances. The victims hailed from Soweto, Sebokeng, Matlerekeng, Lebowakgomo, and Seshego, with one victim being an uncle of the accused," she added.
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