The trial of 10 people accused of involvement in alleged insurance-related killings has been postponed to January 25, 2027, by the High Court in Polokwane, Limpopo.
The postponement is intended to give six of the accused more time to secure legal representation.
Former police sergeant Rachel Kutumela and her co-accused are alleged to have murdered nine people and claimed approximately R10 million in insurance payouts.
The accused face 54 charges, including murder, fraud and money laundering.
During proceedings, the court heard that Rachel Kutumela, Anna Shokane, Johannes Shokane, Benedictor Mataba and Martha Ruiters had not yet secured legal representation through the Legal Aid Board.
The matter was previously postponed on October 5 for the same reason.
Meanwhile, accused number four, Johannes Shokane, has been referred for a mental evaluation.
The court also relaxed the bail conditions of accused number 10, Martha Ruiters, following her complaint that she had to walk long distances to report to a police station in Sebokeng, Gauteng.
Ruiters was initially required to report to the police station four times a week.
The trial is expected to resume in January next year.