Accused dies as R21 million insurance fraud case returns to Polokwane High Court
POLOKWANE: The multimillion-rand insurance fraud and murder case involving Rachel Shokane Kutumela and nine co-accused has been postponed in the Polokwane High Court following the death of one of the accused.
The State informed the court that accused William Shokane had passed away.
The remaining accused are facing 111 charges, including murder, fraud, money laundering, receiving proceeds of unlawful activities and defeating the ends of justice.
According to the allegations before the court, the accused were involved in a scheme between 2013 and 2024 in which life, funeral and accidental insurance policies were allegedly fraudulently taken out on vulnerable victims.
The State alleges that insurance claims were subsequently lodged following the deaths or alleged incidents involving the insured victims, with payouts amounting to approximately R21 million, including claims that were ultimately repudiated.
The case involves serious allegations of organised financial wrongdoing, with the State expected to continue presenting its case against the remaining accused.
The death of Shokane means the proceedings will continue against the remaining accused persons, subject to the relevant legal processes.
The matter was postponed to 29 October 2026 for the remaining accused and to secure judicare.
The accused remain presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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