Former police sergeant Rachel Kutumela, 43, her sister, Anna Shokane, 47, and her daughter, Florah Shokane, 23.
Image: screenshot/SABC
Police in Limpopo arrested three additional suspects on Tuesday in relation to a R10 million insurance payout scheme.
National police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said the arrests are linked to former police Sergeant Rachel Kutumela, who is accused of killing multiple people for insurance payouts worth R10million.
She said police were executing seven more arrest warrants in the same matter.
“All suspects are believed to have taken out life and funeral policies on 10 people who were later murdered. Three arrests have been made this morning. These include two brothers and a sangoma. More arrests are imminent,” Mathe said.
Leshweng Johannes Shokane, 53, is the older brother of former police officer Rachel Kutumela.
Image: NPA
She confirmed Kutumela has since been dismissed from the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“Kutumela was arrested in October 2024 while on duty. She has since been dismissed from the SAPS. She is in custody with three others, who include her sister, daughter, and older brother,” Mathe said.
Kutumela, 43, who was stationed at the Senwabarwana police station, her sister, Anna Shokane, 47, and daughter, Florah Shokane, 23, are awaiting trial prisoners after they were arrested in October for allegedly killing nine people for insurance payouts amounting to R10 million.
Kutumela faces 32 charges, including nine counts of murder, twelve counts of fraud, money laundering, receiving proceeds of unlawful activities, and defeating the ends of justice.
Her sister, Anna, faces three counts of murder, and her daughter, Florah, faces charges of murder, money laundering, and fraud.
The court heard that Kutumela was part of a group of first responders who responded when bodies were discovered, even if it was outside of her jurisdiction.
The State alleges that between 2013 and 2022, Rachel and Anna fraudulently took out life and funeral insurance policies for several victims, subsequently claiming R10 million as beneficiaries.
The payouts were made by various service providers, including ABSA, Standard Bank, Capitec, Hollard, Assupol, Old Mutual, One Life, and Clientele. They allegedly shared the proceeds with Florah.
At the time of their arrest, police said Kutumela’s victims were known to her and were from destitute and disadvantaged backgrounds, and some were disabled or mentally challenged.
Kutumela’s brother, Leshweng Johannes Shokane, 53, was arrested on November 4, 2025, and faces nine counts of murder, as well as charges of money laundering, receiving the proceeds of unlawful activities, and defeating the ends of justice.
The matter of the accused has been transferred to the Polokwane High Court for trial in October.
The group has been remanded in custody until trial.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
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