NPA: More arrests ‘imminent’ in cop’s insurance murder case

Sergeant Rachel Shokoane-Kutumela appeared in the Polokwane District Court on Friday, where the case was postponed to 18 October for a possible bail application. 

She was arrested after reporting for work at the Senwabarwana police station outside Polokwane on Thursday. 

The 43-year-old woman is facing eleven counts of fraud, six counts of murder and two counts of defeating the end of justice.

NPA Limpopo spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi believes the state has a strong case, saying it will oppose her bail application. 

“We are saying this case is under schedule 6. This is a premeditated, or planned case,” Malabi-Dzhangi said outside court on Friday. 

“That is why the onus lies on her to prove if there is an exceptional circumstance in order to release her on bail,” she added,

Shokoane-Kutumela is accused of killing six people for insurance claims worth some R10 million as a sole beneficiary from various service providers including ABSA, Standard Bank, Capitec, Hollard , Assupol , Old Mutual , Onelife and Clientele.

She allegedly began her killing spree in October 2019 when she allegedly killed Sydney Noko Montja, followed by Joyce Tsela Malesa in July 2020 and Navel Kutumela in April 2021.

Maphari Ephraim Chosi was killed in August 2021, while Jacob Petrus Seakamela was killed in September 2022 and Phuti Martin Mothata in April 2024.

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