Plots keeps thickening in insurance murder case

The plot keeps thickening in the so-called insurance murder case with more relatives of the main suspect Rachel Kutumela arrested this week as authorities make more findings of a killing spree that is believed to have gone on for over a decade having started in 2013.

Police in Limpopo this week arrested six suspects who are believed to have worked with the former police officer and include her husband David Kutumela. This brings to 10 the total number of suspects expected to stand trial for among others nine counts of murder as well as conspiracy to murder.

The others are who were arrested this week are Masephe Thomas Shokane (50), William Shokane (41), Masepe Damaris Selepe (38), Mojeri Benedictor Mataba (38), and Martha Iris Ruiters, who all briefly appeared before the Polokwane Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday where they were remanded in custody with their case was postponed to 25 March. The prosecution requested the postponement in order to profile the recently arrested suspects and to allow some of them to secure legal representation.

“ The accused faces multiple charges, including nine counts of murder, money laundering, receiving proceeds of unlawful activities, and fraud,” said the National Prosecuting Authority on the charges they face.

The NPA said the suspects are somehow related to each other and to some of the victims with Rachel Kutumela being the central figure

“Shokane brothers are the siblings of former police officer Rachel Raesetsa Shokane Kutumela (43), who was previously stationed at the Senwabarwana Police Station, and Annah Shokane (47). They are also the uncles of Madjadji Flora Shokane (23). David Kutumela is the husband of Rachel Kutumela. The accused are from Moletjie Makgofe and Sebokeng,” said the NPA.

NPA Limpopo spokesperson Mashudu Malabi said the group made up to R10 million during their murder spree by insuring unsuspecting individuals whom they would later kill and claim money from various insurance companies.

“It is alleged that between 2013 and 2024, Rachel Kutumela, Annah Shokane, Madjadji Shokane, David Kutumela, Damaris Selepe, and Mojeri Mataba fraudulently took out various life and funeral insurance policies on several victims and later claimed payouts totalling approximately R10 million,” said Malabi.

“The payouts were allegedly made by several financial institutions and insurance companies, including ABSA, Standard Bank, Capitec, Hollard, AVBOB, Assupol, Old Mutual, One Life, and Clientele,” Malabi said.

The NPA further alleges that the unlawful proceeds were shared among Madjadji, Rachel, Annah, Johannes, Thomas, William, David, Damaris, Benedictor, and Iris. Meanwhile, the trial of Rachel Kutumela, Annah Shokane, and Madjadji Shokane has been transferred to the Polokwane High Court, where proceedings are scheduled to run from 05 to 30 October 2026.

Others jailed in the murder for insurance is former police officer Rosemary Ndlovu who has been convicted and sentenced for a series of murders, including that of her own close family members committed between 2012 and 2018.

Over the years similar cases have been identified and successfully prosecuted in the Eastern Cape, North West and Gauteng that involved the killing of people including family members with the intention of claiming insurance benefits raising questions about morality.