Police are investigating whether a deadly insurance fraud scheme uncovered in Limpopo may be operating in other provinces following the arrest of six additional suspects linked to the case.
The latest arrests bring the total number of suspects connected to the alleged syndicate to ten, with several of those detained believed to be members of the same family.
Investigators allege that victims were insured and later murdered so that the perpetrators could claim insurance payouts.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said the arrests should serve as a warning to those involved in similar criminal activities.
She said law enforcement authorities remain determined to track down all individuals linked to such schemes.
“No matter how long it takes, police will find you and they will make you answer to crimes committed,” Mathe said.
She added that a dedicated team is currently handling dozens of related investigations.
According to Mathe, authorities in the Eastern Cape are investigating at least 62 cases that have been positively linked to insurance payouts.
Police have not ruled out the possibility that the alleged money-making scheme may be operating in other provinces as well.
Mathe said specialised teams have been established to build investigative capacity, including a unit in the Eastern Cape focusing specifically on cases linked to suspected insurance-related killings.