The Polokwane Magistrate’s Court has refused bail to three family members accused of a series of insurance-related murders worth R10 million.
Former police sergeant Rachel Kutumela (43), her sister Anna Shokane (47), and her daughter Florah Shokane (23) were arrested in October 2024 and have been in custody since December, awaiting a bail ruling.
Kutumela faces 32 charges, including nine counts of murder, 12 counts of fraud, money laundering, and defeating the ends of justice. Anna faces three murder charges, while Florah is charged with murder, fraud, and money laundering.
Investigations revealed that between 2013 and 2022, Rachel and Anna allegedly took out fraudulent life and funeral insurance policies on several victims, many of whom were poor, disabled, or mentally challenged. The payouts—claimed from multiple insurance companies—were allegedly shared with Florah.
The court also heard that Kutumela, as a police officer, often appeared at crime scenes even outside her jurisdiction, raising suspicions about her involvement.
State prosecutor Captain Keshi Mabunda urged the court to keep the accused behind bars, warning that Kutumela had already attempted to interfere with witnesses while in custody.
In his ruling, the magistrate said the trio had failed to provide exceptional circumstances to justify bail, adding that they posed a risk of committing further offences if released.
He drew parallels with the infamous case of Rosemary Ndlovu, another former police officer convicted of killing family members for insurance claims.
The case has been postponed to November 4, 2025, for further investigation.