Multiple murder accused Rachel Kutumela (right), her elder sister, Anna Shokane (centre), and Kutumela's daughter, Flora Shokane (left), appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court in 2024 in connection with allegations related to a R10 million insurance murder-for-payout scheme.

• Six suspects, including close relatives of Rachel Kutumela, have been arrested in connection with 10 insurance-related murders.
• The total number of suspects has also risen to 10, while the 11th suspect remains at large.
• The suspects allegedly benefited from more than R10 million in insurance payouts between 2017 and 2024 by unlawfully taking out life insurance policies in victims’ names and subsequently murdering them.

Limpopo police arrested two brothers, a close relative, two cousins and a sangoma on Monday and Tuesday in connection with allegations related to a R10 million insurance murder-for-payout scheme linked to former police sergeant Rachel Kutumela.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said seven warrants of arrest were being executed.

Kutumela was arrested in October 2024 while on duty and has since been dismissed from the police.

She is presently in custody along with her sister, Anna Shokane, daughter Modjadji Flora Shokane, and brother Johannes Shokane.

The alleged scheme involves the murders of 10 people, all of whom had life and funeral policies taken out in their names by the suspects.

Mathe said:

“The SAPS is committed to ensuring that all those involved in this despicable scheme are brought to justice.”

Four of the six suspects were arrested at various locations outside Polokwane, while the fifth voluntarily handed herself over at the Polokwane police station on Tuesday. The sixth suspect was arrested in Sebokeng, Gauteng, on Monday.

The police said a seventh suspect, who is also related to Kutumela, remained at large.

Mathe ordered the individual to surrender by Tuesday, warning that if he continued to evade arrest, his picture would be circulated in the media.

READ | Insurance murders: Cop accused of six murders – ‘every living person must have funeral, life cover’

It is alleged that the group collectively benefited from more than R10 million in insurance payouts between 2017 and 2024.

Mathe commended the relentless efforts of the investigative team, led by Captain Keshi Mabunda and supported by the Limpopo police’s Tracking Team under Captain Phaladi Makola.

Describing the murders as “heinous and driven by greed,” Mathe revealed that the victims were killed under varying circumstances, including shootings, poisonings, stabbings, assaults with objects, and drowning.

She added that the trial would uncover how the victims were lured, life insurance policies unlawfully taken out in their names, and subsequently murdered as part of a money-making scheme.

Mathe stated:

The case has drawn significant attention due to the calculated nature of the crimes and the involvement of people in positions of trust.

The trial is expected to shed light on the intricate details of the scheme and the tragic loss of life it caused.