By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
A 43-year old police officer Rachel Shokane-Kutumela, her sister and daughter will spend two more weeks in custody after their case was postponed on Friday.
They appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court.
Kutumela’s daughter and sister were arrested at Mabokelele village on Thursday, a week after Shokane-Kutumela’s arrest at the Senwabarwana police station.
“We have agreed that this matter should be postponed to a further date, which will not only be one date but more than a day. It will be the 30 and 31 October 2024 and as well 1 November 2024,” said Magistrate Godfrey Netshiozwi.
The state will oppose bail for all three women.
The accused, Sergeant Rachel Shokane-Kutumela (43), her 47-year-old sister Annah Shokane and her 27-year-old daughter Flora Shokane, are facing charges of murder, fraud and money laundering.
Shokoane-Kutumela registered her victims with various insurance companies before their deaths.
The National Prosecuting Authority said last week the incidents began in 2019 when the insured persons would be found dead and their bodies dumped in different areas.
“It is alleged that sergeant Kutumela fraudulently took out life and funeral insurance for victims and has since claimed R10 million as a sole beneficiary from various service providers including ABSA, Standard Bank, Capitec, Hollard, Assupol, Old Mutual, Onelife and Clientele, according to National Prosecuting Authority Limpopo Regional spokesperson Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi.
“The incidents 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 also discovered drowned in a dam. More arrests are expected,” Dzhangi said.
Fullview learnt she pocketed R10m from insurance claims after fraudulently obtaining funeral, accident and life policy cover from banks and insurance companies.
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola said the arrest followed a lengthy investigation by Captain Keshi Mabunda.
Mabunda also conducted the investigation that resulted in the conviction of former police officer Rosemary Ndlovu, who was sentenced to six life terms in November 2021 for orchestrating the murder of her partner and five family members to collect insurance payouts from policies she had taken out for them.
Masemola said, “As a police officer you are entrusted with the safety and security of communities. For a police officer entrusted with such a great responsibility to be involved in such acts is an absolute disgrace.”
An ISS report, “Strengthening the SAPS for a Safer South Africa: Recommendations for Police Reforms”, released in June, found: “Police corruption, criminality and misconduct are widespread. This contributes significantly to low levels of public trust in the SAPS and high levels of organised and other crime.
“Current SAPS integrity management and disciplinary systems do not adequately maintain discipline or prevent misconduct and criminality among SAPS officials.”
The report recommended that the SAPS establish an effective and well-resourced National Anti-Corruption Unit.
It also recommended the police “establish an effective internal discipline system comprising dedicated disciplinary investigators, prosecutors and presiding officers. These dedicated disciplinary officials should expedite cases involving allegations of serious misconduct by police officials.”