Two more weeks in custody for cop and her family in insurance claim murder case

The Limpopo policewoman, her sister and daughter alleged to be linked to the murders of six people for insurance payouts will spend two more weeks behind bars after their case was postponed on Friday.

Sgt Rachel Raesetsa Shokane-Kutumela, her sister Annah Shokane, a nurse, and her daughter, Madjadji Flora Shokane, appeared briefly in the Polokwane magistrate’s court. The latter two were arrested on Thursday in Mabokelele village while the policewoman was arrested a week ago.

Shokane-Kutumela faces six counts of premeditated murder, multiple counts of fraud and defeating the ends of justice while her relatives face three counts of receiving unlawful proceeds. She and her daughter also face money laundering charges.

“Counsel has informed me that since we've joined accused 2 and 3 to the proceedings, they will not be able to proceed with the bail application today [Friday] and we've identified three dates, if the court is agreeable,” the prosecution said when proceedings got under way. These were October 30, 31 and November 1.

The state will oppose bail for all three women.

Shokane-Kutumela, who is attached to the Senwabarwana police station, was arrested on Thursday last week. She allegedly pocketed R10m from insurance claims after fraudulently obtaining funeral, accident and life policy cover from banks and insurance companies.

The National Prosecuting Authority said last week the incidents began in 2019 when the insured people would be found dead and their bodies dumped in different places.

Numerous details emerged about Shokane-Kutumela after her arrest.

Relatives of some of her victims told a local publication, the Polokwane Observer, she owned two Range Rovers, a Land Cruiser, a BMW 3 Series and a Mercedes-Benz.

The Sunday World reported two months after the death of one of her first alleged victims, Sydney Montja, she hired a chopper for her lavish wedding to husband David Kutumela.

She'd met Montja and his cousin Mamoloko Machabela at Seshego Hospital where the duo were collecting medication. After an initial interaction that saw Shokane-Kutumela treat them to a “scrumptious lunch”, the policewoman soon took over the care of Montja. 

“Rachel suddenly became a family member and that’s why we never complained when she took Sydney’s identity document and Sassa card. She took over my role of caring for Montja,” Machabela told the publication.

Montja was killed in October 2019.

Her other alleged victims were Navel Kutumela, Tsela Malesa, Ephraim Choshi, Jacob Seakamela and Martin Manthata, who were all killed between 2020 and 2024.

Navel was the mentally ill younger brother of Shokane-Kutumela's husband. 

The matter was postponed to October 30.

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