A 43-year-old police officer, accused of profiting from the murders of six civilians to the tune of R10 million, is set to apply for bail at the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo today.
Sergeant Rachel Kutumela, stationed at Senwabarwana police, will appear alongside her 27-year-old daughter and her 47-year-old sister, who are also implicated in the alleged scheme. Kutumela faces six counts of murder and several charges of insurance fraud, with authorities claiming her alleged crimes date back to 2019.
According to police reports, Kutumela allegedly targeted individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds and those living with disabilities. She is accused of securing insurance policies in their names and subsequently claiming the benefits after their deaths. Her co-accused, identified as Florah and Annah Shokane, face three counts each of money laundering and profiting from the proceeds of crime.
The bail hearing is set to run until Friday, with the state expected to oppose bail for the accused. The case has drawn significant attention, spotlighting issues around financial exploitation and the abuse of trust by law enforcement.