Limpopo cop, two others accused of insurance murders abandon bail bid

Limpopo police sergeant Rachel Shokane-Kutumela, 43, accused of insurance fraud and murder, abandoned her bail application midway through the hearing. 

She and her two co-accused — her elder sister Annah Shokane, 47, a nurse at Cintocare Private Hospital in Menlyn, and her daughter Madjadji Flora Shokane, 23, a caregiver at an old-age home in Pretoria North — appeared in the Polokwane magistrate’s court on Friday. 

They abandoned their bail applications and their case was postponed to February 7 for further investigation.

The trio from Moletjie Ga-Maleka face multiple charges including nine counts of murder, money laundering, receiving proceeds from unlawful activities, fraud and defeating the ends of justice.

Limpopo National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi previously said allegations against Shokane-Kutumela and her sister were that they fraudulently took out life, accident and funeral insurance policies for several victims and subsequently cashed in the policies.

The payouts were made through various service providers, including Absa, Standard Bank, Capitec, Hollard, Sanlam, King Price, First National Bank, Assupol, Old Mutual, 1Life and Clientele.