Daughter and sister detained in Limpopo police officer’s insurance murder case
A Limpopo police officer was arrested for allegedly masterminding six insurance-related murders. Her sister and daughter have also been taken into custody.
Two women, related to Limpopo police sergeant Rachel Shokane Kutumela, who allegedly planned six murders to collect life insurance payouts, have been arrested for their involvement in the crime.
The suspects were arrested by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Limpopo tracking team in Mabokelele village on Thursday afternoon after the investigating officer obtained a warrant of arrest.
TWO SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED ROLE IN INSURANCE MURDERS
The pair is a 47-year-old nurse who is a sister to the Sergeant and the other is a 27-year-old daughter to the Sergeant.
The two suspects are expected to appear together with the accused on Friday, 18 October, at the Polokwane Magistrates Court on various charges including murder, fraud and money laundering.
When Kutumela was arrested, police said her victims were known to her and were from destitute and disadvantaged background and some were disabled or mentally challenged.
“She would take out life policy and funeral covers on their behalf and she would be the beneficiary.”
The 43-year-old sergeant allegedly started her murder and fraudulent spree in 2019 and her arrest – while on duty – was the culmination of investigations led by the respected Captain Keshi Mabunda.
Mabunda rose to prominence when he investigated another cop Rosemary Ndlovu’s insurance murder cases. Ndlovu also had a hand in the murder of her five family members and her boyfriend.
Eventually, she was sentenced to six life terms.